Thanksgiving is over and Christmas looming. I am confused because there seems to be much more commercialism this year.
The Christmas displays went up around Halloween and the usual "black Friday" sales started weeks in advance. Telling us we could get Black Friday pricing 2 weeks before Thanksgiving is just odd to me.
Many local stores did close on Thanksgiving Thursday, where they had previously been opening in the afternoon or evening on that day.
There are a few who had sales all day, but I can't think that they had an overflow of customers.
Right now, businesses are claiming the best sales in a long time. Great! Christmas is setting buying records. I wonder how many of those purchases are going to upstage a traditional Nativity set and how many are going to say from "Santa?"
I shouldn't be bitter because I know that the giving of Christmas is the best part. It is a joy to share your gifts and resources with someone else, but shouldn't we also share with the poor and needy; the sad and lonely? And shouldn't we remember to give our time and smiles to those we love? Not just at Christmas, but every day?
OK - obviously I am mourning the loss of innocence and Jesus. I find that the "performance" of Christmas even in churches is getting so big it is overwhelming the message. Every child does not need to be on the stage to sing. Every company does not need a fancy dress party or an oversized exhibition of their spirit.
My life right now is filled with trials and tests. Many un-Christmas things are happening in my life that are keeping me from sharing the overall madness of Christmas. I don't have time to think about entertaining, or partying, or even baking my special Christmas meal.
I will decorate and buy gifts. I will have a Christmas eve filled with fun and music and laughter.
But on Christmas Day, I plan to be somber and quiet in the presence of the newborn Baby Jesus - my Savior. Honoring His birth is the one thing that will never change. It is on one day - fulfilling one promise - guaranteeing one gift.
Remember when that is what Christmas was all about?
