Black Friday – No Thank You!

God, Jesus, love your neighbors, familyLast week the media was full of stories about Black Friday. Apparently today is Cyber Monday. Someone told me it’s even bigger than Black Friday.

What I’m wondering is when the celebration of a holiday like Thanksgiving became less about the actual holiday and more about the shopping afterwards. Maybe I’m old fashioned but this doesn’t seem right to me.

The experience will be repeated again very soon. In Canada the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. This is another day that people line up in the early hours of the morning to be among the first to scoop up the bargains being offered. Every year media reports tell of fights among the shoppers. In some cases there are even injuries!

These events occur immediately following holidays celebrating thankfulness, joy and peace on earth. Something is wrong with this picture. Somewhere our priorities have become messed up. Shouldn’t we be enjoying time with our loved ones and not fighting strangers over purchases?

Instead of Black Friday I prefer to focus on Good Friday. The greatest gift ever given didn’t come from a store. It was when Jesus gave his life for me. When God sent his son so that we may have life abundantly, he wasn’t referring to material possessions.

As I enter the Christmas Season I choose to focus on the reason we celebrate. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s love for all mankind. He taught us that we should love our neighbours as ourselves. For me, this love is the best gift I can give and receive not only today but every day.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 ESV)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14 NIV)

4 thoughts on “Black Friday – No Thank You!”

  1. I really appreciate this particular post because it certainly affects me directly. It’s necessary to put things in perspective on a daily basis when living so close to this kind of exposure and it tends to numb the reason behind the season. This is why I am so glad for you and the gift you have to inspire and remind me of the importance of daily affirmations.

    1. Thank you for your comment BerylAnne. I enjoy a bargain as much as anyone but not at the expense of people or relationships. My kids don’t remember the years with few presents or the years with many. What they remember is the time spent together.

  2. Amen, Tandy! We need to get back to the basics and away from “me, me, me.”

    Black Friday is so hyped here it’s ridiculous! Normally, I avoid it. This year I was out already, so stopped in to some stores and mostly window shopped. From what I saw, there was a low turn out and virtually nothing on sale (or the same old sale as normal). At least nothing crazy was going on.

    1. Thanks for your comment Kimberly. It’s nice to know I. Not the only one that feels this way!

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