Mr. Speaker, 700 years before the birth, the prophet Isaiah declared the virgin birth and said, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace”.
Five hundred years before the birth, the prophet Zechariah told of his death, how much his betrayer would be paid and that he would come riding on a donkey. He was born in Bethlehem, which means in Hebrew the house of bread. He said, “I am the bread of life...I am the way, the truth and the life...I am the resurrection and the Life and his life showed he was the Son of God”.
That is what Christians believe. That is what they celebrate at this time of year. He is the reason for the season.
May it truly be a very merry Christmas for you, Mr. Speaker, for all members of the House, for all Canadians, and a wonderful new year for Canada and for the world.