Friday, November 26, 2010

Treasures Beyond Black Friday

The term "Black Friday" was first used in in the nineteenth century after a catastrophic day on Wall Street. Since, there have been "Black Mondays" and probably other "Black" days to signify big losses in the financial markets.

In 1966, the term "Black Friday" was used in Philadelphia by local police to identify what was for them, one of the worst traffic days of the year in the downtown area as people flooded the streets to shop the day after Thanksgiving. In the mid seventies the term began to catch on in other areas, signifying the profits retailers hoped to make the day after Thanksgiving. Today it is term that describes a shopping craze noted by stores that open at midnight, have shoppers camping outside their doors overnight to be first in line for those one-of-a-kind "door-buster" sales. It is chaos that I have chosen not to participate in anymore, particularly since I have learned the joys of on-line shopping. My computer is my "Black Friday" friend!

There was a degree of chaos the first Christmas as well. This chaos was not created by frenzied shopping, but rather, the burden of taxation. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem for the census even though she was due to give birth to her first child very soon. No rooms could be found for them to find rest...ultimately a stable was secured and there, the Savior of the world was born. No "one-day-sales" ensued, in fact the first visitors who came to see the child were the poorest of society, shepherds who said to each other after the angels announced to them the birth of Jesus, ""Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." (The Message) I suppose the first rush of Christmas was to see the Christ-child. What a novel idea...drop everything and come to Jesus!

Perhaps the shepherd's example is one we should follow as well. In the midst of a season often characterized by distraction and chaotic frenzy, we are called once more to hear the angel's proclamation of good news and come at once to the manger to see God's great gift of love. The treasures of Black Friday cannot compare.

As we begin the season of Advent,come, join us as we make our way to Bethlehem "to see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."

Jim Abernathy

Friday, November 12, 2010

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Art Linkletter made a career out of the phrase, "Kids Say the Darndest Things." Now some of you may not know who Art Linkletter was...ask your parent or grandparent and chances are, they will know who he was. The son of a minister, he came to television in the 50' and 60's by interviewing children on a variety of subjects, getting their perspective on life issues that often brought laughter, and sometimes a poignant moment when the words of a child captured truth in a powerful way.

I'm not sure why I thought of Art Linketter this evening...haven't seen his old show in probably thirty years. Perhaps it was the encounter I had this morning with a few hundred fourth-sixth graders at Navy Elementary School in Fairfax. Their music teacher, who by the way also says the darndest things from time to time, invited me to attend a special assembly the children were leading in recognition of Veteran's Day. They sang patriotic songs, led the pledge of allegiance, shared essays they had written about the significance of the day, and also asked a lot of great questions of a United States Navy Reserve pilot who spoke to them about his experience flying Navy jets. They asked him if had ever crashed, dropped a bomb, or landed on an air craft carrier. His answers were met with smiles and an occasional look of wonder, followed quickly by more hands raised with more excited voices wanting to ask questions.

There were several veterans in the room who enjoyed this give and take, fascinated by the rapt attention of the usually squirmy children, and appreciative that these young minds were focused on the service and sacrifice of those much older than they. I walked away from that assembly having been instructed well by these young teachers. They taught me the darndest thing...they taught me lessons of appreciation and honor...sacrifice and service...wonder and awe. Perhaps Art Linkletter had it a bit backwards several decades ago...maybe the real challenge was not in the answers children often give, but rather in the questions they ask.

As Veteran's Day passes from the calendar for another year, I am grateful for lessons learned from the questions of children, and for the willingness of so many men and women to serve this nation so faithfully. Children will keep asking questions...may we all keep remembering the blessings of freedom made possible by those who answered their nation's call.

Jim Abernathy