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