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I am offended at the controversy surrounding the argument of different factions as to whether or not their civil rights have been violated by the celebration of Christmas, as opposed to the all inclusive phrase Happy Holiday's. Were you as offended as I am then we'd all be on our soap boxes proclaiming our disdain and displeasure that it has even become a subject for discussion. Should any other ethnic, racial or religious group wish to celebrate a holiday of their choice, in a fashion of dated tradition, then so be it. As I understand it, that is what the freedom and liberty, purchased by the blood and lives of our forefathers and fallen troops afforded us when they experienced the anguish associated with any warring opposition to freedom of speech, freedom of religion or any other freedom of expression you so desire. Their loss of limb, disfigurement, loss of life or any other physical and emotional tragedy stemming from those conflicts should not be in vain but they are when these traditions are threatened. Correct me if I am wrong but if my memory serves me correctly and I am sure that it does, George Washington and his weary troops crossed the Delaware on Christmas Morning to engage those who opposed their freedom.

Some of my earliest memories of extreme pleasure as a child are woven around my cinema of remembrances of Christmas. That's right, that's what I said, Christmas, yes there was a holiday season but it was all centered around Christmas, "the reason for the season". The churches and public school drama's reflected in theatrical presentation the day we choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, my Savior, my King as I choose to believe that he is and I am convicted accordingly.

As I see it we have started a downward spiraling of submission in allowing many of those afore mentioned groups to dictate our tradition as being an infringement on their rights when they have the freedom of choice as to whether or not they participate or abstain from this glorious celebration. Whether Christ was born on the 25th of December or the 7th of whatever is not the argument, it is simply the time of year I choose to celebrate. My celebration, my tradition, my choice, period. Mine and yours if you so desire but only if you choose to do so,,, it is not mandatory.

Bear with my articulation and analogy as I attempt to make my point. I happen to be one of those people who finds rap music to be noise, not music, a sound that is less than palatable to my taste, whether it be Christian rap or any other genre of rap. Whenever I hear that sound I turn it off, change radio stations or walk the other way if it is being broadcast in a public area. I was at the carnival presented to the citizens of our community last summer and they were playing music that was less than desirable to me but I made a choice as to whether I would leave or endure something I had no control over. I chose to stay and enjoy the rides, the squeals, the screams and laughter of children and further indulge in the consumption corndogs and cotton candy in spite of the negative sounds permeating the air and in doing so, I didn't feel that my civil rights had been violated. That was my choice and my taste, if you are offended by "Silent Night", "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" or any other music relative to the celebration and traditions we hold dear in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ you may do the same, turn it off, change stations or simply walk away, it is your privilege, it is your right and you are free to do so.

Those things that I find unpleasant or that I am offended by, are things that I choose to alienate myself from whenever possible, however, there are times when it is not possible. Enjoy your traditions and if I choose to join your celebrations I will but if I choose to ignore them I will and I will not try to influence society and our nation that my rights have been violated by your chosen participation of traditional celebrations,,,,,, that is your right, just remember and try to understand that some of our traditions are older than your great, great, great grand parents who chose to do as we do, they either joined in the celebration of Christmas or they did not, they were free to choose then, as you are now.

Merry Christmas and enjoy the holidays surrounding the birth of the baby boy in Bethlehem. If you don't agree it's okay, that's what is so great about our freedom you don't have to, I'll just enjoy the festivities without you and I won't be bothered that you choose non participation. I believe that Jesus Christ is my redeemer, not Buda, nor Mohamed as sung by the Imperials in the seventies and until such time as I believe in something else,, I choose Christmas, my choice, my privilege. This is also my opinion, you can agree or disagree, like it or not like it, your choice. You can even try to convince me that I am wrong, won't happen, but you can try and I assure you that I will not feel that my civil rights were violated by your efforts to change my perspective, understand?

Eddy Bolton
Three Bridges
http://www.threebridges.net

Reader Comments

I am in total agreement. Thanks Eddy, this is an excellent article. Merry Christmas!

AMEN & AMEN! Great piece & I wholeheartedly agree.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt

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