December 1, 2026
Christmas Dinner: “Anchored in Reality: Why Christmas Matters” with Mr. Abdu Murray, J.D.
Diplomats, parliamentarians, business leaders and their guests are invited to begin celebrating the Christmas season by enjoying a festive meal, live seasonal music and inspirational keynote speakers.
The bedrock of reality seems to be shifting underneath our feet in these turbulent times. Yet the Christmas story remains an unchanging influence on cultures, institutions and our lives. We invite you to discover the deeper meaning and significance of this world-changing event.
We are delighted to welcome back Jean-Marie and Hanne Niangoran along with Joycelin Mosey, who will be sharing special musical performances with us throughout the evening.
Mr. Abdu Murray, J.D.
Abdu Murray is a speaker, author and attorney who specializes in addressing issues where religious faith and emerging cultural trends intersect and collide. Since founding Embrace the Truth in 2004, Abdu has spent decades analyzing how the major religious and non-religious thought traditions have attempted to address emerging cultural issues, he has authored several books including More than a White Man’s Religion: Why the Gospel is Not Merely White, Male-Centered, nor Just a Religion, Saving Truth, Grand Central Question, Apocalypse Later and his latest, Fake ID. His articles have been featured in Fox News, Christianity Today, Christian Post and Western Journal.
For most of his life, Mr. Murray was a Muslim until a nine-year historical, philosophical, theological and scientific investigation pointed him to the Christian faith. He has engaged with diverse international audiences in debates and dialogues across the globe and hosts the podcast and YouTube shows, All Rise, Deliberations LIVE and CouldaShouldaWoulda.
Mr. Murray holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School and was named to Best Lawyers in America and to Michigan Super Lawyers three times.
He lives in the Detroit, Michigan area with his wife and their three children. Read his full bio.
Special Music by Jean-Marie and Hanne Niangoran and Joycelin Mosey
Jean-Marie and Hanne Niangoran
Jean-Marie and Hanne Niangoran are pastors at Le Chemin Ottawa, songwriters, and worship leaders. Their passion is to connect hearts to the presence of God through worship.
In 2021, they launched Célébration Gospel Outaouais, an annual gathering of local and international worshippers to sustain an altar of praise in the Gatineau-Ottawa region. In 2025 Célébration Gospel Outaouais was awarded Gospel Event of the Year by the Canadian Selah Music Award.
They also founded the Viva Sound Academy music school to train the next generation of Christian musicians both spiritually and technically.
Their latest album, Tu gardes ton alliance (You Keep Your Covenant), features standout tracks like Prends la place (Take Your Place) with Derek-Jones and Par-dessus (Pass Over) with Samuel Joseph.
You can follow Jean-Marie and Hanne on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and all major streaming platforms.
Joycelin Mosey
Joycelin Mosey is a pianist dedicated to bringing music to all spaces and ages. She has enjoyed sharing music with diverse audiences, including those on and around Parliament Hill. Collaborations include “A Saviour is Born,” an original filmed for the Christian Embassy of Canada, and performances for the National Prayer Breakfast.
Other highlights include performances at Music as Sanctuary, Doors Open for Music at Southminster (Ottawa), Glenn Gould Studio (Toronto) for Imago Arts Canada and the Lausanne Movement (Wisconsin), as well as Carnegie Hall (New York) and Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow) while a member of the Vancouver Children’s Choir and Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Joycelin holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (with a double major in Psychology) from the University of British Columbia and has twice served as an artist-in-residence at the Banff Centre. Her piano teachers include Linda Shirley, Ailsa Zaenker, Henri-Paul Sicsic, Jane Coop and Robert Silverman.
The opinions expressed by the speakers and commentators at our events and posted on our website are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Christian Embassy.