Readers, whether you’re celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord today or just spending some time with your family, please accept our wishes for a very Merry Christmas. Take an opportunity to rest, relax, reflect, and have fun — after all, that’s what holidays are for! We hope you have a safe conclusion to 2023.
Christmas message from B.C. Premier David Eby
The office of British Columbia Premier David Eby shared the following message celebrating the holiday of the Feast of the Nativity:
Christmas is a treasured time for families in B.C. and around the world, including mine. It’s a time to connect with family, friends and neighbours. A time to enjoy fun traditions like going to community celebrations, decorating the tree and exchanging presents.
And a time to give back to our communities.
Tonight, my family and I will put out homemade cookies for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph, and eagerly await the magic of Christmas morning.
Tomorrow, Christians will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, while people of various faiths and backgrounds will celebrate the universal message of Christmas: peace, love, joy and hope.
It has been a challenging year for many people in B.C. and around the world. This holiday season, I have been reminded that when times are tough, British Columbians step up to support each other.
Kids and adults alike have donated to toy drives, Christmas hampers and food banks. Businesses and community organizations have put on free festive events that are open to all.
Groups of friends and co-workers have sponsored and served meals at community kitchens. School choirs have sung Christmas carols at care homes. And many families are opening their homes to people who would have otherwise been alone on Christmas.
These acts of kindness, generosity and togetherness are, for me, what Christmas and British Columbia are all about.
From my family to yours, merry Christmas and happy new year!
Christmas 2023 reads
- Holidays at the White House: See how each room has been decorated in accordance with this year’s theme — Magic, Wonder, and Joy
- Pope Laments ‘Appalling’ Loss of Life in War in Gaza (New York Times): In his annual “Urbi et Orbi” address, Francis called for the release of Israeli hostages while also urging an end to the military campaign in Gaza.
- The WW1 Christmas Truce: ‘The war, for that moment, came to a standstill’ (BBC): In 1914, in a poignant moment of shared humanity, British and German troops entered into a spontaneous ceasefire over the Christmas period.
- How Christmas changes when kids become teens (The Washington Post): Few things capture the magic of the holiday season like the eyes of a child. And then, they become teenagers.
- Time to get real on the bullet train: California is building it, so let’s make it work (The Los Angeles Times): President Biden delivered a Christmas gift for California: Billions of dollars to help build high-speed rail.
- Western Washington will see king tides this week, and maybe some flooding (The Seattle Times): Along the Pacific Coast, extra high tides are expected Monday through Wednesday. The interior waters will likely see tidal flooding Tuesday through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
- Whose “It’s a Wonderful Life” Is It Anyway? (The Nation): How everybody’s favorite Christmas movie about the perils of monopoly capitalism became a victim of monopoly capitalism.
Peace be with you!