Yangon: Christmas will pass quietly this year for many Christian families in northern Myanmar after the country’s military authorities ordered churches to cancel or restrict celebrations on December 25, citing security concerns ahead of planned national elections.
Church leaders in Kachin State said local officials informed them that no church services or public gatherings would be allowed on Christmas Day. In some towns, congregations were instructed to hold Christmas prayers earlier in the month, while others were told to cancel celebrations entirely. Authorities warned that disobedience could lead to arrests or legal charges.
The orders were issued by Myanmar’s ruling military council, the State Administration Council, which has increased security across several regions as it prepares for elections later this month. The junta says restrictions are needed to prevent unrest, but Christian leaders and rights advocates say the measures unfairly target religious communities.
Kachin State is one of Myanmar’s most heavily militarised regions. It has long been affected by conflict between the army and ethnic armed groups. In recent weeks, residents report a visible rise in troop movements, checkpoints, and monitoring of public activities. Local people say this has created an atmosphere of fear, especially during a season that is usually marked by joy and community gatherings.
Pastors in the region said they complied with the orders to protect their congregations. Many churches chose to hold small prayers in advance, while others cancelled programmes altogether. Some families said they would mark Christmas quietly at home, without music, decorations, or communal worship.
Christian organisations say the ban on Christmas celebrations reflects a wider pattern of restrictions on religious and ethnic minorities since the military takeover in 2021. Churches, schools, and aid centres in northern and western Myanmar have previously been damaged or closed during military operations. Thousands of families in Kachin and neighbouring states remain displaced due to ongoing fighting.
The timing of the restrictions has drawn criticism, as Christmas is one of the most important religious festivals for Christians in Myanmar. Community leaders say linking a religious celebration to election security is deeply troubling and undermines basic freedoms.
International observers and human rights groups have already raised serious concerns about the planned elections, noting that large parts of the country are affected by conflict, displacement, and limits on free expression and assembly.
For many Christians in northern Myanmar, this year’s Christmas will be marked by prayer under pressure rather than public celebration. Church leaders say their message to the faithful is one of resilience and hope, even as they wait for a time when they can celebrate their faith openly and without fear.