As I came upon marchers assembling for a protest rally in Freedom Square, my first thought was, "Not another march!"

During three decades of living in Washington, I have experienced marches that ranged from protesting farmers to the present march objecting to the events of Jena, La., involving hanging nooses and racial injustice.

"Will this, like so many other marches, end up accomplishing very little to nothing?" I wondered. Then it struck me that the cause of the march was not only justifiable, but the march itself represents our most treasured gift --- freedom!

We are free to voice our opinion, to march and to protest as we wish. Freedom is not only a right, but also a protected and cherished gift!

In his book "Habits of the Heart" (University of California Press, 1985), sociologist Robert Bellah writes that Americans are forever championing freedom, but once they get it they don't know what to do with it.

It is my Christmas wish that we know precisely what to do with it: that we cherish it dearly during this blessed season when God sent his Son to free us!

To be free is to be liberated --- to be allowed to be our real selves. It's closely related to redemption, which means being freed from slavery.

Thanks to our sacramental life, we have the ultimate means for liberating ourselves from the worst moral disease in existence, an enslaved conscience at odds with itself. No greater sense of freedom and exultation exists than knowing we are forgiven and all is right with God.

Thanks to freedom of religion, we worship where and when we please. Unlike some countries, our church doors are open and we have no fear when entering them.

Thanks to our Founding Fathers, we have the right to publicly protest against that which threatens to shackle us.

Thanks to those who protect us, we are able to move about with relative security and are not incarcerated by our society. We enjoy the gift of movement, being able to travel at will and mingle with whomever we desire.

Thanks to intimate friends with whom we can freely share our innermost being, we enjoy life's ultimate pleasure: the union of heart and soul with a significant other.

I must admit when I came upon yet another march, I was irked. The loud blurring speakers and chants that invaded the air were very unsettling.

But isn't this an essential part of freedom to disturb us into action to protest against whatever threatens peace and freedom? Isn't this what Christ came to do, to radically stir us up to seek the ultimate freedom he is?

What better Christmas gift could we ask for!

Fr. Eugene Hemrick is a columnist with Cathiolic News Service.