Prime Minister Trudeau lauded Jesus’ followers for their positive contributions at a Christmas reception on Parliament Hill.Trudeau identified himself with the faith at the Wednesday event hosted by Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt MP Jean Yip. .“As a Christian Member of Parliament, I spend a lot of time celebrating a range of beautiful faith traditions all throughout the year, and seeing people gather here to celebrate my faith, to celebrate Christmas, is really touching,” Trudeau said.The prime minister said Canada had an “extraordinarily rich and diverse number of Christian communities” tied together by common belief and celebration of “the birth of our Saviour.”“All of us gather around this deep faith that is grounded in the principles and values of Jesus's message, peace, kindness, generosity, forgiveness and faith. These are the principles that unite us all, not just as Christians, but in so many cases as Canadians–commitment to each other, commitment to community, that idea of service, of following the example of Christ, our Lord Jesus, in his message, in his teachings, in his humility, but also in his extraordinary leadership,” Trudeau said.Trudeau acknowledged faith leaders in the room and their role in the “biggest moments of our lives,” such as blessing babies and hosting weddings and funerals, “grounding ourselves in what really matters: that sense of faith, of togetherness, and hope and optimism and that commitment to serve that is intrinsic in the Christian faith.”The Montreal MP said the Christian leaders contribute to the “community at large” and the country also, aiding “those in need” with the “generosity…that really is the heart of the Christian faith.”Christians, Trudeau said, bring to “community and to country, our commitment to helping the vulnerable, our commitment to being there for each other, forgiveness, peace, this week in the advent calendar. The world needs more peace, and the way of getting to more peace is to understanding openness, forgiveness, but also a commitment every day to try and do better.”The prime minister said tolerance was only the beginning.“Let's love our neighbours,” Trudeau said. “Open yourself to others…Be there for each other. Learn, accept that, all this love. That is the teachings of Christ and that is the path we need to follow, all of us. And it's not always easy. Indeed, it's supposed to be kind of hard, but that's why we ground ourselves in our faith as we do that.”Trudeau then read Isaiah 9:5 in the New American Bible, revised edition, which prophesied the Messiah more than 700 years before Jesus was born: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”The prime minister said Christmas was a “beautiful moment” but encouraged those present to reflect “on the privilege and the responsibility that comes at being able to celebrate this joyous time of year,” given difficulties some people faced.“Christmas can be a time of loneliness, a time of hardship, time with need instead of a time of abundance. And we must each of us reflect as Christians on what we are doing, to serve, to follow Jesus, to be there for the downtrodden,” Trudeau said..In his initial comments, Trudeau thanked Yip for her motion M-171 for Parliament to acknowledge December as Christian Heritage Month and said it was "the kind of recognition...we ought to be able to celebrate."Molly Banerjei, CEO of the Christian Music Festival and promoter of Christian Heritage Month, said she had approached Yip to host the Christmas celebration and introduce the motion.“[Trudeau] told me personally that they are working on this with Jean. I also met at least 20 Liberal MPs and Ministers. They have all pledged support,” Banerjei said of the motion. “It was amazing.”On December 5, 2023, Sarnia-Lambton Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu introduced a bill to recognize Christian Heritage Month, but it was never put to a vote.
