Black Friday

There is something wrong with this!!!

What kind of a gift/s do you plan to buy for Christmas? Are you going to fall into the trap of spending lots of money on things that make people happy for a short period of time? After all by the time 2010 gets here most people have forgotten what they had gotten anyway, or they have started to complain again about what they don't have.

I am watching video clips of people streaming into to stores in mob scenes trying to beat other people for the deals of the day. It reminds me why I despise the Christmas season so much. If only we could remember a few basics about this season.

1. Jesus is the only reason why we should celebrate Christmas. If it wasn't for his gift, we wouldn't have this day anyway. Hopefully He will be front and center at your birthday party.

2. Jesus gift was his presence, not presents. Wouldn't we be better served blessing people with our presence. Sadly parents think that what they give as presents this year makes up for their lack of presence in their families lives.

3. Jesus invested in us as people. Maybe we need to find other ways to invest in people without wasting our resources. Maybe we can invest in a homeless teen, a needy family, an underprivileged country.

4. Jesus commanded us to take care of the poor, the orphaned and the widowed. He didn't say anything about spending hoards of money on ourselves, or spending lots of His resources on ourselves.

Invest in what counts. Jesus, others, and finally yourself.

I guess Black Friday is properly named. It is a dark day when we waste so much, and neglect the needs of those in need all around us.