From The Lights of Christmas:
OFTEN ACCUSED OF ILLEGAL GATHERINGS and creating social unrest, house church pastors in China face arrest, persecution and imprisonment. When imprisoned they are forced to do hard labor – making bricks, mining coal, putting together cigarette lighters…and even assembling Christmas lights.
The same Christmas lights we use to celebrate the Savior’s birth are being used to punish Chinese pastors who have risked everything to share Jesus to the largest people group on earth – it’s a story that captures everyone’s heart who hears it.
Instead of boycotting these items, house church leaders in China have asked that we use our Christmas lights as reminders to pray that they have the strength to stand firm for the Savior during their suffering, and for the Lord to protect and care for their families. (read more)
Interesting…they aren’t asking for a boycott, but for prayers. I don’t know if anyone has verified this story, or which brands use prison labor, but there is an extensive Chinese prison labor research site called Laogai that does this type of verification. Also, musician Michael Card is endorsing Lights of Christmas, which leads me to believe it’s not just a glurge.
