Freedom must be remembered, embraced, and lived out—both in our communities and in our souls.
Every August 1st, Canada observes Emancipation Day—a day that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834. While it is not yet widely celebrated, it is a deeply significant day, particularly for Black and Caribbean communities across Canada.Even to get this date officially commemorated by the government took somewhat of a fight. But a truth worth fighting for. Can you believe this acknowledgement and recognition only took place in 2021?! It marks the moment when, on paper, chains were broken, and those once enslaved were legally declared free. Though many know Canada as the safe haven for slavery during the times of the underground railroad; we must not forget nor deny that our country has its own history of roughly 200 years of legalized slavery.
While many of us here in Montreal may know little of Nova Scotia’s Black heritage, that province became a cradle of some of the earliest Black communities in Canada—from the Loyalists of Birchtown, to the exiled Jamaican Maroons, to the refugee arrivals of the War of 1812, and the enduring spirit of Africville.Nova Scotians of African descent laid some of the earliest roots of Black Canadian identity—yet their stories are still widely unknown, especially beyond the province.
Emancipation Day is more than a historical footnote. It is an opportunity for us to remember, to educate, and to pass down the legacy of resilience and triumph to our children. When we recall the struggles of our ancestors, we honor their courage and ensure that their sacrifices do not fade into obscurity. We also empower the next generation to understand where they come from and to continue the journey toward justice and equity that is not yet complete.
This is why Emancipation Day is a call to remain vigilant—lest we forget.
Just as false promises and withheld land denied Nova Scotians full freedom, many believers today still cling to spiritual chains—fear, shame, doubt—even though Christ has proclaimed us free.
But as I reflect on Emancipation Day, I cannot help but think about the spiritual parallel that resonates with every believer in Christ. Our ancestors were declared free in 1834, yet freedom was a journey—physical chains were broken, but social and mental chains often lingered for generations. In the same way, Jesus Christ gave us our ultimate Emancipation Day over 2,000 years ago on the cross of Calvary. His sacrifice broke the power of sin and death. Romans 6:18 reminds us, “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”
And yet, many of us are still living as if we are enslaved. Fear, unforgiveness, shame, or the pressures of this world keep us from walking in the liberty that Christ has already secured. Just as our ancestors had to learn to live as free people and pass that legacy to the next generation, so we as Christians must learn to embrace our spiritual freedom and LIVE IT OUT. If you are not living for Christ please consider accepting the freedom that salvation offers by faith in Christ Jesus and His Living Word. God has sent His Word to renew your mind and to set you free from all sorts of invisible chains and burdens you may carry.
Freedom is not only a status; it is a lifestyle. Emancipation Day teaches us that liberty is fragile if not guarded and remembered. Our spiritual lives are no different. When we neglect prayer, worship, and God’s Word, we risk sliding back into spiritual bondage, even though Christ has declared us free.
So, as we mark Emancipation Day in Canada, let us celebrate both the historical freedom of our ancestors and the eternal freedom that comes through Christ. Honor the legacy of those who endured. But also examine your own heart: Are you living as a free person in Christ, or are there invisible chains still holding you back?
