It’s Black Friday in the United States! Sounds ominous. But the word “Black” actually refers to the bottom line of retail stores, the day their business is supposed to start registering a profit for the year from the hordes of customers that flock to their stores seeking Christmas presents.
In fact, to “support” the whole retail shopping frenzy on Black Friday, many stores opened last evening. Wal-Mart reportedly opened at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day so eager shoppers could get a head start on their Black Friday shopping. Wasn’t that nice! LOL. I stayed home and enjoyed my family’s company…
With Christmas a month away, and commercial interests eager to capitalize on consumers’ penchant to spend more freely this time of year, I find it helpful to remember at the beginning of the season what the holiday is designated to celebrate in the first place.
Christmas is about Christ.
Christmas is not about strain and stress, over-spending, overeating, over indulging, and over-worrying. It’s about the birth of Jesus Christ, the appearing of the Messiah, the unfolding of God’s idea, in the life and teachings of a teacher, that has brought untold blessings to a world struggling with sin.
So, rather than getting too focused on the “coming of the next advertised special,” this season, I encourage you to focus on the “coming of our Lord!” The benefits are greater, and the after-effects easier to live with.
AMEN! Thanks for this post. :o)
LOL! @ “coming of the next advertised special”! Like you, I chose to focus on the reason for the season yesterday and today. The great love impelling the gift of Christ Jesus to humanity by a Father-Mother who is Love, itself, is reflected in the love (not stress, material consumption & accumulation, overspending, etc) behind the gifts we give this time of year. Keeping that foremost in thought, gift-shopping is a joyful, stressless event and each gift?…just perfect!
I agree with your comments. My husband and I choose not to purchase gifts for each other since we have everything that we need and instead purchase gifts and food to donate to those in need in our community. We also send most Christmas cards by email and donate the money we would have spent to the local humane society. Thank you for your uplifting ideas that help me stay on the straight and narrow.