This past Thanksgiving I felt very overwhelmed by the advertisers and media hype surrounding “Black Friday” (the day after Thanksgiving where we all go into a trance and buy, buy, BUY gifts for Christmas). And some people spend Thanksgiving day putting up Christmas décor! I keep feeling our day of giving thanks has turned into an introduction to the Christmas rush and crush.
Last week I happen to see an advertisement, secular in nature but very Christian-like, featuring an upside down wishbone with a Santa cap on it with the caption “putting thanksgiving back into Christmas.” The ad went onto ask why is there such frenzy into buying so much for people who already have been blessed with a lot of stuff? They would like us to pause for a moment and give thanks for all we have and reflect upon those who have little or nothing in life, the poor, the hungry, the dying… I thought to myself what a great way to begin Advent… Thinking of the needs of others and what better way than by donating our time, talents and dollars to those who need our help and thanking God for everything we have?
Advent is a time of thoughtful reflection upon our faith as we await the coming of Christ… God gave us the best “Christmas Gift” ever… the gift of His only Son, Jesus. Jesus didn’t go into a frenzy shopping for the apostles and Mary and Joseph… He gave the gift (and continues to do so) of His time and care and charity to others.
This week ask yourselves “Where would Jesus be on Black Friday? Where would Jesus spend His time and energy during the holiday season?” Spend some time reflecting upon these questions and how to put Thanksgiving into Christmas by giving thanks to God for His greatest gifts- his love and His Son.
God Bless, Holly Clark
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