Editorial: A Merry Christmas to all

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As Christmas Day arrives Monday, New Brunswickers have every reason to celebrate the holiday and its universal message of peace, love, and goodwill, the Christian religion’s inclusive annual reminder built around the birth and teachings of Jesus – principles that ideally we will honour year ‘round.

It’s a particularly important message when our world and tiny provincial part of it are experiencing a large degree of turmoil, challenges and uncertainties that can cause us to lose sight of what’s most important in our brief lives, including family and community.

In recent years immigration has seen New Brunswick change and grow, not just in population, but as a more diverse, interesting and tolerant place to call ‘home.’ Just this week we learned we gained 8,000 new residents, almost all foreign immigrants, in just three months. Many of these folk are adherents of other religions and also welcome us to enjoy their celebrations and share in them.

The core messages are strikingly similar and that encourages us. Understanding, love, and goodwill is a timeless, incredibly positive spirit among humanity. It means sharing in our traditions, not cancelling or denigrating any of them – basic positive respect.

New Brunswick can be proud of its overall reputation of being a caring place full of people ready to help anyone in serious need without expecting anything but a ‘thank you’ in return. May that continue.

As we help immigrants settling in, we’ve always shown the same tremendous charitable spirit toward fellow needy citizens born and raised here. Christmas charitable efforts abound and continue year round: food banks, meal distribution, assistance with housing, clothing, education, learning languages, and medical treatment are just a few of many. Our charitable sector is diverse and wide. Every leader, every donor, and even individuals who do random kindnesses as they go about their lives, merit recognition.

May meaningful gift giving prevail for all; may everyone’s Christmas see good cheer, fun and safe celebrations; and to all a joyful and Merry Christmas!