Turkey Day and Black Friday Gone, What's Next?
With Thanksgiving our of the way and Black Friday gone too, what else is new? As Americans we are getting ready for that day that we sometimes call, The Day Formerly Known As Christmas. It has lost its meaning except to a certain few. Really, isn't it just a day to celebrate the pinnacle of commercialism? Let's not forget Hanukkah and Kwanza, the other holidays this month, culminating with New Year's Day. Regardless of the reason for celebrating, the holiday season remains for many a time to get together with friends and family. Some may ask, "Who needs to get together when we can Tweet, text, or use Facebook?" Tempting, yes. A few of us do escape for that quiet intimate trip without seeing family or friends. The question remains for those of us who will see family, what will we make of that time? Will we sell out to the god of industry and fall into the shop-'til-you-drop mentality that big business likes to push, especially this time of the year? Not you, huh? How many Americans were up at 4AM on Black Friday ready for the doors of the store to open? For those of you who had to work, God bless you! For the rest of us, really? We did that? Yes! Why do the holidays have to be about buying things? Why not just spend time together instead of wondering if your cousin's husband will like the reindeer tie that matches the one you got your dad? We need sales to keep the economy going, yes. But maybe we should remember that maybe the original point of these holidays wasn't in commercialism, but rather in celebrating being with each other, giving thanks for each other and our heritages, and being grateful to our Creator? So, let's make it our goal this holiday season to put away that cell phone or set down your personal device, and spend at least fifteen minutes in a real conversation with someone you know. Truly appreciate that time.
