We are entering (we are in!) the holiday season.

Crazy times, full of family, full of worship, gifts to purchase, wrap and prepare for those meetings with friends and relatives.  Time to reflect on the past year.  Opportunity to look forward to the next.

We are grateful for what we have.  We always want more.  Human nature on display!

Recently, I took time (12 hours in total) to watch the Ken Burns series on “The American Revolution”.  This series is available on PBS channel for free.

PBS Series – 6 two hour segments – The American Revolution

After watching this, I am simply amazed that our country exists.

During the fight for independence, there was no less than twelve differing groups of interests struggling to win what was important to them.

Note that most of these groups did not get what they wanted!

A list of interest groups I noted:

• Britain
• Germans
• French
• Spanish
• Patriots
• Loyalists
• Colonists who preferred to not take sides
• Slaves – who sided with Britain & Loyalists
• Slaves – who sided with Patriots
• Native Americans – who sided with Britain / Loyalists
• Native Americans – who sided with Patriots
• Native Americans – stay away, leave us and our lands alone

All these groups fought for various reasons and had vested interests.

People question why the Revolutionary War which started in 1775, continued through 1783.  During this time, all these groups were jockeying for what they wanted.

Try to envision our countries founding fathers trying to put together a country, a government, and satisfying the interests of the various groups.

Simply amazing if one thinks about it.

To say that the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights were not perfect documents is correct.  Consider however the vast sea of interests the founding fathers were trying to placate and satisfy.

This period of time is very complex, and fluid.

In hindsight, it is remarkable that this country was founded, evolved and has flourished.  We still have challenges, however our country, our government, our freedoms are the envy of the world.  Nothing else has evolved to rival our success.

As you enter the holidays and think how lucky we are, please think of the contributions of our founding fathers.

We can be grateful and recognize the sacrifices of all those interest groups noted above.  Not all were graced with what they wanted.

If you have the time and want a very complete history of the American Revolution please seek out and watch.  The investment will be humbling!

Happy Holidays!