This week, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, we will be looking back on the most-read posts on the Persecution Blog this year. We begin today with the number-5 most-read post, and will count down to number 1 on Friday. Come back each day this week to learn which posts drew the most attention and readers over the course of 2014.

Many American children are looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, bearing presents for good little boys and girls. But most of those celebrating don't know that there is a real man behind the story of Santa Claus, and that real man was a Christian persecuted because of his faith and actions.

I have been moved this week by the story of the South African Christian family attacked in Afghanistan last weekend. The father, Werner Groenewald, and his two teen-aged children were killed. The mother, Hannelie, is a doctor and was serving in a clinic when the attack happened, sparing her life. I cannot even imagine the grief and loss that this dear sister is enduring.

What would it be like to live in a village that was nearly impossible to drive to? When visitors manage to travel to this type of village, people come pouring out of their homes to see what all the commotion is about.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

This week's episode of VOMRadio is live online, featuring an interview with Gracia Burnham.

If you read the Bible in English, you owe a debt of gratitude to William Tyndale. This week marked the anniversary of Tyndale’s execution at the stake for the “crime” of translating the Bible into English:

There is no authority except that which God has established. Romans 13:1

This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 2 Timothy 2:8-9