Merry Christmas, Everyone!
The markets are closed until Wednesday in Canada (Tuesday in the United States) but not for just “another holiday” as an increasingly secular, woke culture world is so eager to promote. Unfortunately, the War on Christmas has become more intense than ever. It is our hope and prayer at BMR that everyone everywhere this Christmas will have time to pause and reflect on the real reason for the season.
We live in a world that should be more desperate than ever for truth, given what mainstream media, big tech and governments throw at us every day, not to mention the corporate sector with its share of issues.
The Canadian Human Rights Commission recently reported that statutory holidays for Christian celebrations, including Christmas, are “a form of discrimination” that is deeply “rooted in our identity as a settler colonialism state”. As one astute commentator wisely pointed out, it’s more accurate to say that the Human Rights Commission is a form of idiocy deeply rooted in our woke, politically incorrect foolishness that has grown by the day under Trudeauism, highlighting the urgent need for a common sense revolution in this country and elsewhere. There is nothing remotely discriminatory about Christmas.
Truth can be found when one explores the real reason for the season. Jesus himself said, in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
Jesus is The Constant in an ever-changing, increasingly deceptive world. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Just over 2000 years ago Luke recorded the birth of Jesus Christ:
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world (this was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria). And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'” (Luke 2: 1–12, New International Version)
A Savior was born and He is Christ the Lord. He came for all of us.
A manger is something that is used to hold food and water for animals, so it’s significant that this is where a divine baby was born. From the beginning, Jesus was and still is God with the people. He came to earth in humble beginnings, lived a humble life, and died on a cross for the sins of the world.
In similar style, the first people to be informed of the birth of baby Jesus were the shepherds. In those days shepherds were one of the lowest of society. They were out in the fields living with the animals, not living in castles. The angel of the Lord gives them the Good News for the world. The angel tells them that a Savior has been born to them, not only for them but for the whole world. The angel does not say He was born for some of the people. Jesus was born for ALL the people, ALL races, ALL ethnicities, ALL genders, ALL classes. He is for ALL.
Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus but it is also a day when we celebrate all that He accomplished by willingly going to the cross (for us) in His death. He came to save the world and He wants all of His children to be in relationship with Him. Jesus’ birth and resurrection are irrefutable truths – his resurrection is the foundation of Christianity and sets it apart from all “religions”.
It is our corporate prayer that this Christmas you will feel the Hope of Christ, the Love of Christ, the Joy of Christ, and the Peace of Christ as you share this precious time with friends and family.
As you reflect on the reason for the season, may you also serve and help others who have been less fortunate this year.
From our homes to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Warmest regards,
Jon, John, Daniel and the team at BMR.
“Merry Christmas” to all at BMR and their Families!
“Merry Christmas” to all Readers and their Families!
Murray and Family
Comment by Suzieq — December 24, 2023 @ 10:28 am
Hi All,
I am based in Thailand, a mostly Buddhist country. We live in the Northeast, which is a non-tourist part of the country. There is a large town called Udon Thani close to where my family and I live. We went there on Christmas Eve to see the Christmas lights and decorations. In the entertainment area there were Christmas lights on the street trees and decorations everywhere. Many Thais were walking around in festive attire. It looked like a North American city dressed up to celebrate the season. Keep in mind this was set up by Thai people for the benefit of Thais and not tourists. This morning was Christmas Day here and my 7 year old daughter who goes to a Thai elementary school got dressed up in a red and white Christmas outfit to celebrate Christmas with her similarly dressed classmates at her school. Taking her to school in the morning, my daughter’s teacher told me they would be celebrating with Christmas activities (even a gift exchange) all day. Thai children line up on the grass playing fields every school morning for assembly. It was a sight to behold. Hundreds of Buddhist children all dressed in red and white stood in their class lines preparing to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus. This was the same 8 am scene occurring simultaneously at thousands of other elementary schools with possibly hundreds of thousands of children throughout the country! Christmas is thriving not diminishing and is respected by diverse cultures all over the world. Imagining this scene, one could be forgiven for thinking these legions of children were raised to show the world that woke Christmas and Christian hating liberals and socialists will never diminish our beliefs and our way of life. This was the best Christmas present one could have hoped for.
Merry Christmas All!
Subscriber John
Comment by John — December 25, 2023 @ 12:53 am
Thanks for sharing that, John. Merry Christmas!
Comment by Jon - BMR — December 25, 2023 @ 9:21 am
Thanks for sharing John!
Comment by Ciara — December 26, 2023 @ 11:25 am