Most of us exchange gifts with family and friends at Christmas and, thankfully for those who are in need, many Canadians share that same spirit of generosity with others beyond their own front doors.
Every year in our communities, I see new examples of people sharing their blessings with others at Christmas, often through a donation of their time or money to churches, food banks and other groups that work tirelessly to support the less fortunate among us. It is an uplifting time of year when the inherent decency and charity of Canadians never fails to shine.
And no talk of service and sacrifice at Christmastime would be complete without mention of our brave members of the Canadian Forces, many of whom are serving far from home over the holidays. As our troops continue to work and to sacrifice so that Canadians can remain free, it is important that we remember them in our prayers and share our gratitude for their service with their families at home.
Christmas also gives us the precious gift of time to reconnect with our loved ones. Days have a habit of slipping away, and those closest to our hearts may not always be near to us in person. I hope that at Christmas, you will have the opportunity to gather your family and friends close to you to enjoy precious time together during the holidays.
Christmas is always an appropriate time for us to reflect on our many blessings as Canadians. As we celebrate the birth of Christ - the greatest gift that the world has ever received - I hope we’ll all reflect this Christmas on how we too can be a blessing to others, here at home and to those in need around the world.
I wish you all a merry Christmas and the very best of the upcoming new year.
