This week Canada and the United States celebrated important national holidays. For Canada, July 1 is Canada Day, which celebrates the anniversary of the 1867 enactment of the British North America Act (also called the Constitution Act f 1862). This is a day that is frequently called “Canada’s birthday.”

July 4 is Independence Day, a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Again, it signifies the official birth of that nation.

Each country showed national pride and patriotism. Each country is a country of freedoms found in very few areas of the world. Each country offers distinct advantages of relative peace, opportunity for prosperity and freedom of religion. We can be very thankful to be able to live, work and worship in this region of the world during a time of strife and religious persecution in so many other parts of the earth.

Dinesh D’Souza, in his book What’s So Great About Christianity, shows that the West owes its views on government, religious tolerance, equality and freedom to Christian origins. He points out that even much of our culture – art, music and architecture were influenced by Christianity. He warns that if the Christian foundation is removed, the values built on that foundation will eventually vanish. His warning should be well heeded.

It would be wonderful if our liberties and freedoms were extended to the whole world. The Bible tells of a time when Jesus Christ will commence the Kingdom of God and transform the whole earth. It is a time when all humanity will be taught the way of life that will bring peace, prosperity and productivity. It will be a time when the realization far exceeds expectation!

To have a glimpse of that future, please read online or request the booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom.

Anthony Wasilkoff