Amid Fear of Attacks, Many Nigerians Mute Christmas

In past Decembers, pastor Paul Maina's congregation at Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Njilang in Chibok, Borno state, Nigeria, spent the week before Christmas celebrating. They often went house to house, singing in the local Cibak language, dancing, bearing gifts, and sharing meals. Maina prepared a midnight Christmas Eve service at church. Non-Christian neighbors joined in the festivities.

"These were happy times," Maina told CT. "But that is no more."