It is that season again, how quickly the year has flown!  We are all hustling and bustling about with the frenzy that the season brings. People are travelling out, while others are coming in to see family. Yet for others, it is a sad time because of lost loved ones, or changes in family circumstances. Through it all we need to take the time to reflect soberly on the reason for the season. May it not get lost amid the bustle and the glitter. May we focus on what is most important of all, the celebration of the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,  “For Unto Us A Son is Given ….. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6.

So one day this week, I decided to go down to the Food Court to get some lunch, as I did not bring any to work. The cashier who served me was in quite the “chipper” mood busy singing Christmas carols. She cheerfully wished me a Merry Christmas after I finished paying her. Oh, that was a treat for me!  I went back to talk to her after I picked up some cutlery. I told her that I was so happy she wished me a “Merry  Christmas”, and not “Happy Holidays” within the hearing of two of her co-workers. She heartily replied that her supervisor had asked them to say “Happy Holidays”. I guess she was not having any of that and chose to go her own way 😜😜😜. That is my kind of woman, she was not ready to be a people pleaser, doing something that did not feel right to her. I suppose she needed to stand by her convictions. Good for her, is what I say.  After leaving, I went upstairs where I met some colleagues of mine and proceeded to tell them how I had been busy stirring the pot downstairs 😂😂😂. That started another discussion altogether, for they were not having this “Happy Holidays” stuff either. Let us stand up for the truth, shall we, and stop being so “polite”. We have a lot of holidays, so when we say “Happy Holidays”, which holiday are we referring to; Easter, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, you get my drift (just being cheeky)? Let us just call it what it is.

Lest we forget, a little bit of history that I dug up, Canada’s coat of arms, adopted in 1921, stands upon the Latin phrase “A Mari Usque Ad Mare,” which when translated means “from sea to sea” a reference  to Psalm 72:8, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”

Canada’s heritage as a nation under God is plainly carved on the walls of our parliamentary building. Since this building is still standing (I have not heard that anybody is up in arms demanding it be torn down for this reason), I think it is still safe to say “Merry Christmas” in Canada 😊😊😊.

The best of the season to you all from this maverick 💙💙 -Y.A.