"So the feast of Thanksgiving is a gathering time. If not with friends and family, then helping those who are in need. For this one day, nobody should be without a hot meal and people to share it with."
I just read the Thursday morning paper. To say it was thick would be an understatement. It was like a Sunday paper on steroids. Lots of news today? Nope. Lots of ads. For what? The season of thanks which has turned for many into the season of hub-bub. Yes, our three holidays of 1) giving thanks, 2) celebrating the birth of Jesus and 3) celebrating the new year has turned into five to six weeks of madness.
It did not start out this way. Somewhere on the path from George Washington to today, Christmas has become a "black" event - "black" as in Black Friday - as in, sell as much as possible, buy as much as possible, for the merchants to get as healthy as possible. And it all starts on Thanksgiving. Have a turkey dinner sometime in-between or competing with the three NFL football game which are on the TV. Then, as the ads direct, plan your attack for which stores to hit first. Some are open at 3pm this afternoon. That would be somewhere between your second helping of dressing and your first piece of pumpkin pie.
I have said this many times. Black Friday is the worst thing which ever happened to Thanksgiving. And before someone jumps up and yells "Hypocrite!", I will admit in the past I too, have taken part of this madness. Since then, I believe Black Friday casts a pall over Thanksgiving. And then continues with the mayhem which goes on and often times casts a pall over Christmas. New Years (other than the long lines for returns) seems to be the only holiday of three which escapes somewhat untouched.
So what is Thanksgiving then, if not the launching pad for the Christmas shopping season. Quite simply, it should be the start of the "quieting period". A time to reflect on the past year and how blessed we are. Even though we can think of many of many misgivings and shortcomings we have had since last January, the truth is simply this. In this country, we are blessed beyond measure. We really are. So the feast of Thanksgiving is a gathering time. If not with friends and family, then helping those who are in need. For this one day, nobody should be without a hot meal and people to share it with.
The "quieting period" leads us up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Rather than just a consumer's paradise, Christmas time really is a season to share and care. This is the day we all recognize and remember the birth of the One. The One who changed everything for everyone for ever more. It is a reminder for us to share and care. It is the best way, really the only way, to celebrate this most special of all days.
Back to reality. We will be watching the home town team play football on the early game. There will be fire, there will be a feast sometime about mid-afternoon. There will however, be no leaving early for Black Friday shopping. Nor tomorrow morning.
But - there will be giving thanks, and lots of it. Why? Because we are grateful. Grateful for so much. And because of that, we give thanks to the Lord, because He is good!
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