“Desperate Consumerism”……..”IT IS TIME”

Surely you have heard about the people that were tragically trampled to death over SALE ITEMS on Black Friday. There was an analyst on Bill’s show on Fox that actually had the stupidity to say that even though this was a tragic accident, this type of stampede over TVs only happens in extremely wealthy economies, it’s not people desperate for food and shelter and water, No its “desperate consumerism”.
This is truly a Black Friday for those families and at the least that baby that was killed in the pregnant woman is in the arms of Jesus this Christmas.

It’s hard enough to be a kid these days, but when kids are given the message so often and especially at this time of year that they aren’t cool enough or worth enough if they don’t have the hottest phone, game system, car, doll, sneakers, media player, computer, or clothes, it just makes life that much harder for the vast majority of kids in this kind of materialistic driven society. We are such a selfish, prideful, arrogant, greedy, gluttonous, people in America and in economies and societies such as ours that it’s amazing to me God the Father hasn’t told Christ Jesus the 4 words Jesus is longing to hear…….”SON, IT IS TIME”.

I used to be amazed at the deals that some members of my extended family would get when they would go out on Black Friday. I started to get into it a little bit. Now I will admit that there are some great sales to be seen on this day and during this season of the year, but over the past 2 years I have been thinking about it more. I have come up with a few questions to ask myself when I see what appears to be a great deal on something desirable.

1 – Do I have the money to be able to get this item? If I am thinking of buying it on big sale and then resell it on ebay or something, is it reselling for enough to make a profit?

2 - Will I actually use this item or will the person I am thinking of buying this for actually use it or enjoy having it?

3 – Why is this item on such a large sale? Discontinued, too many negative user reviews, etc?

4 – Is this really worth my sleep time and possibly family time to be part of crowded stores with other selfish people?

5 – Can I get this any other time of the year for the same price or close to it?

6 – Is this the best use of my time and money?

7 – Do I really NEED this item or does the person I am thinking of buying this for really NEED this item?

8 – God, please grant me wisdom in this item.

What are the results lately?
Well the last 2 years, I have only gone out for a very few items if at all. Normally we are visiting family in PA so I may go out to do some Christmas shopping anyway and if I can save money just by shopping on a particular day, OK, but I am not going to go stand in line just to TRY to be sure to be one of the few FIRST people to get a given item in limited quantity. But usually my shopping is done during the last few weeks or even days before Christmas, prices are down, I don’t mind the crowds, and just mosey on through a store, find my items, and get out.

I don’t see this Christmas shopping thing as a competition. Our friends and family remember what Christmas is all about. We (a general we here) have lost sight of the significance of gift giving at Christmas.

There are a couple reasons we give gifts at Christmas. The first and foremost reason is that the gift of salvation was given to us starting with the birth of Jesus Christ which we celebrate on December 25th.

The second reason is to show each other that we love each other in the unique manner of gift giving. Now the second reason is quite lame actually compared to the first but it holds true nonetheless. It’s in that second reason that we get so lost and caught up. Too many people are so desperate for unconditional love, Godly love, that they are willing to go into deep debt to attempt to buy that love from someone by getting them an expensive gift or as many gifts as their credit cards will allow. My friends, are we really that prideful that we judge the depth of our love for one another based on the $$ of the gift they give us or compare with what we gave them?? Or how about a simple card or letter in the mail with some pictures from the last year or something like that? I am sorry, but every time I use or look at a THING that I was given for a birthday or Christmas my first thought is not about the person that gave it to me and how much or how little they must love me. NO, actually the first thought is usually along the lines of….”hmmm now where is that thing??” J I know those that care about me and am very thankful for them. You know who you are. But this knowledge isn’t based on a yearly check up at Christmas time.

I am glad that it’s not based on that because if it were, there a lot of people who would think I could care less about them or have totally forgotten they even exist. No, this knowledge is based on happenings and communications at various points ALL YEAR LONG.

So in going back to the main thought of our time together here, whatever happened to the saying “Tis better to give than to receive” ? I am grateful that my wife and I come from families that value each other’s time together more than anything and that even though we ask each other for ideas for Christmas, each family remembers and is outspokenly grateful for WHY we are able to give each other gifts at Christmas in celebration of the birth of the One and ONLY LIVING SAVIOUR.

Desperate Consumerism, huh!?! Fancy new name for complete selfishness. I just wonder how long it will take for there to be a medically accepted Disorder for this too. Perhaps Defiant Consumerism Disorder where the patient exhibits aggressive behavior in defiance of previously held traditions when making purchases. The patient shoves other shoppers out of the way regardless of their age, cursing and bribing their way to the front of the line only to sprint out the door clutching their purchase tightly and foaming at the mouth as they cautiously approach their vehicle ever on the lookout for approaching predators that may seek to steal their package. No one is to be trusted, not even the infant in the carriage approaching with mother in tow. Don’t be laughing now……ok go ahead……..so am I!!! But if you really think about it, since we are getting further and further away from any resemblance of personal accountability in the medical/psychological fields, how many other disorders can we make up and then actually pass off as real?? Another thought for another time.

For this time, just think on this. Cliché-ish yes, but absolutely true…JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. Without the birth of Christ, this “religious holiday” wouldn’t even exist. There is a question to ask your atheist friend, how did this “holiday” get started….if it weren’t for Jesus? If they cite the guy that St. Nick is related to, ask them to explain the “Saint” title and then good ole Nick’s motivation for being such a generous man in his day.

Keep Christ the focus of Christmas…..not money and things which will all pass away when this earth is renewed by the Creator.