O Canada?
In light of recent revelations around the Canadian Residential "School" system, there has been a push for the cancellation of Canada Day celebrations this year - or at least adaptations in how they are remembered.
Thinking about how we talk about and celebrate our nation is something that Christians do regularly, not just when motivated by a national crisis. As much as we are Canadians (or any other nationality), that is not our primary identity. In Philippians 3, Paul describes us as "citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives." In Christ, we become citizens of another kingdom serving as ambassadors in the nation we live. Our role is not to promote or celebrate Canada, Canadian values, or Canadian citizenship, it is to live the way of the Jesus' kingdom and kingdom values. That is the kingdom we are to primarily celebrate!
This doesn't mean we shouldn't be thankful for freedoms and benefits we have of living in Canada - freedoms and benefits many of our fellow Kingdom citizens do not enjoy. But let us not confuse giving thanks for those things as blind patriotism to the Maple Leaf. Of all the people who should be ready to step back and take a long, deep, and honest look at our national history and legacy, it should be those of us us whose primary identity is in Jesus. Where appropriate, we give thanks and join in Canada Day celebrations. And, where necessary - driven by our true citizenship - we confess, repent, and join in the active pursuit of reconciliation.