Monday, December 25, 2017

World Leaders Send Christmas Greetings

President Donald Trump tweeted last night:
People are proud to be saying Merry Christmas again. I am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
[UPDATE:This morning President Trump and the First Lady issued more traditional Christmas greetings via Twitter.]

According  to The Hill, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued similar Christmas greetings:
"I'm very proud to be the prime minister of Israel, a country that says 'Merry Christmas' first to its Christian citizens and to our Christian friends around the world," Netanyahu said in a video posted to Twitter.
Other world leaders used similar phraseology without making an issue of it.  Here are the greetings from Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau .  British Prime Minister Theresa May's Christmas message carried a broader theme:
Let us take pride in our Christian heritage and the confidence it gives us to ensure that in Britain you can practice your faith free from question or fear.
Let us remember those around the world today who have been denied those freedoms – from Christians in some parts of the Middle East to the sickening persecution of the Rohingya Muslims.
And let us reaffirm our determination to stand up for the freedom of people of all religions to speak about and practice their beliefs in peace and safety.
So this Christmas, whatever our faith, let us come together confident and united in the values we share. And wherever you are at this special time of year, let me wish you all a very Happy Christmas.