Sadly, in many parts of the world, it is nearly impossible for Christians to peacefully and safely celebrate the birth of Christ. From communist China to significant areas of the Islamic world, Christians are harassed by governments and threatened by mobs. Apparently, now Christians in Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA, have to think twice about gathering to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Residents in Ypsilanti, who gathered with their families for an annual Christmas tree lighting and carol singing, were accosted by a pro-Palestinian mob. The demonstrators terrified the children while they chanted anti-American slogans.
Families were forced to retreat to a nearby building in the hope that a local children's choir could still sing carols. Unfortunately, the mob broke into that building, too, and deliberately chanted offensive slogans behind the children, drowning out their singing. Some protestors yelled," Christmas is cancelled everywhere until Palestine is free." America was built on the idea that people of all faiths have a right to meet, worship, and praise God as their hearts lead them to do. The thuggish behavior at the event in Ypsilanti should not be tolerated anywhere, against any faith. We urge Christians and all good citizens to insist that those who disrupted this Christmas event be held accountable. Ypsilanti city officials and the state of Michigan must stand up and enforce the law.
We hope and pray that no church or Christian organization in Michigan or anywhere else in America is intimidated by this mob harassment.
The threat to "cancel Christmas everywhere" should be met by joyous, loving, public celebrations of the birth of our Lord and Savior.