Click on the picture above to hear a rendition of Alexander Muir’s, “The Maple Leaf Forever”, written in 1867 – the year of our Confederation.

“A Mari usque ad Mare” or in English, “From Sea to Sea.” Those of you up on your Latin, will know that this is Canada’s motto.  At first glance, “from sea to sea” might not seem that special. We can imagine it got its name based on our country’s geography: after all, we are a nation encompassed by three oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic). But that is not what the Fathers of Confederation had in mind when they envisioned our motto. 

Canada’s motto comes from Psalm 72:8 which reads, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” You see, it was the prayerful desire of our early leaders that the new country of Canada not only be a dominion of Great Britain, but importantly, that it be a dominion under God.

So on Canada’s 143rd birthday, give thanks to God who continues to bless us as a nation. And may our citizens today, once again, turn to the Living God of Psalm 72:8, who continues to pour out his love for us – from sea to sea.