Thursday, 24 November 2011
-
Black Friday: Let's Fight the Anti-Holiday
Originally posted November 27, 2008I feel so mixed in writing about Black Friday, partly because the urge inside me to go out and buy stuff is so strong. I've always imagined myself as rather Spartan and minimalist, but looking back over the year (and my credit card statements) always makes me realize how loose my spending truly is. I realize that shopping makes me happy; as Don Miller describes it, buying something makes me feel... new, somehow. Refreshed. Excited. And the thought of getting a good deal on something makes me feel... resourceful. Efficient. Excited.
But in the end, spending out of pleasure is as strong a statement about myself as anything else. If not for Black Friday and the adrenaline rush I get when thinking about massive savings and all the wonderful new gadgets and toys I can buy (for a loved one, of course), I wouldn't realize how strong the pull of greed can really be. In a very strange and twisted way, it has made me more aware of my own ungratefulness and unthankfulness than Thanksgiving itself ever has. And for that character revelation, I suppose I should be thankful.This statement is not meant to be harsh or condemning to anyone who shops on Black Friday, but perhaps it is a worthy exercise to refuse to participate in that anti-holiday, if only because doing so reveals a little more about ourselves.
I have so much to be thankful for this year. My family is still here, and in good health. I have more friends than I can spend adequate time with. I have the indwelling Christ in me.
This weekend, let us not only say a prayer of thanks but one of intercession as well. Out of our thankfulness, let us ask the God who gives more abundantly than we can imagine, and let us remember those who have lost loved ones. Let us wait in great expectation, taking joy in every moment before its fulfillment, and let us reunite in community together.
Let's fight the anti-holiday.What are your plans for Black Friday? Do you ever take part in Black Friday events?
RecommendRelated Posts
Post a Comment
- Back to revelife's Revelife Site!
- Note: your comment will appear in revelife's local time zone: GMT -05:00 (Eastern Standard - US, Canada)
Comments (21)
i'm going shopping. but i'm not really buying anything i wouldn't pay full price for. nor am i hanging outside of Target until midnight. i'm just going to pick up some things while they're on sale.
Hmm...I already bought a Wacom tablet online, but I bought it on Thanksgiving, so it doesn't count right? I needed it too... I'm not that materialistic either. You should watch the documentary: "What Would Jesus Buy?" It talks about that. It's also cool how you're reading "Blue Like Jazz". *high five*
payday loan no fax247 instant no fax paydayapproval fax instant loancash fax instant loan nofax instant loan no payday
what is black friday? a sale or something? We dont have that where I am.
@amyetta619@xanga - It is the sale right after Thanksgiving here in the USA.
My husband is working the Black Friday Sales since he is in retail. I did Black Friday once, but decided never again. I enjoy me sleep to much.
I visited Hallmark, a restaurant, and the bank. I waited until afternoon though. I don't think I saw a single customer at any of them.
I love this post! And I like what you are saying about being thankful. I know I like to shop, but I can't bring myself to go into the madness on Black Friday. One reason being I can't stand all of the crazy and rude shoppers who are just out for themselves (like the lady at Wal Mart pepperspraying other customers... seriously?). A good deal just isn't important enough for me to endure the madness.
Sweetie, your God gave us nothing. Everything Humanity has, we provided for ourselves. Never forget it. Your God is a fairy tale.
@cute_sushi@xanga - Why do you feel guilty about being materialistic? You DO realise those who claim not to be materialistic do not have any money? Never feel guilty about being human.
@amyetta619@xanga - You must be European. Black Friday is irrelevant to Europe anyway, since Europe is about to go the way of the Dodo Bird.
@FascistCanuck@xanga
I have one thing to say to you- Put a sock in it! Being an atheist is one thing- being a condescending atheist not only makes you look cruel, it gives all atheists a bad name!
Oh But WAIT- atheists like you don't care about having a good name, or other peoples feelings, or being materialistic because that would make you look too much like a Christian!
Why don't you find some other atheist's site to blog on!
@FascistCanuck@xanga - Australian
The last couple of years I've ordered calenders (for my family), I've used some "Black Friday" coupons. (I used quotes because there were deals all weekend.) This year I did the best. I saved $104 and only spend $97. :D
Personally, I avoid actual shopping on Black Friday because it tends to get sooo out of hand just for save a few bucks. It seems like people get hurt every year. No deal is worth that. And I know within my own family, certain family members (really, my aunt and her three kids) tend to be more materialistic than the rest of the family. This is a Christmas in recent years that the adults are trying to scale it back. And my aunt is putting up a front about it. :(
@amyetta619@xanga - Ah, Australian. Understood.
@KateeLee1@xanga - Ah, I see what you are saying. Religious nuts are wonderful, compassionate people who care only about others, but atheists are truly, materialistic people who only give a shit about themselves. I cannot speak for all atheists, but I would disagree.
It is people like you who make the case for the atheists much stronger. I thank you.
@FascistCanuck@xanga - I don't think Europe can't go away exactly. They might just all finally be like us in Romania. We also don't have black friday and I have 2 questions: why is it called black friday? and why would everyone want to do the same thing at the same time in a populated place? that's not efficent!
@a_girl_with_a_pen@xanga - By Europe going away, I meant they would die, as their economies are but a joke. Canada seems to be the only country that survived the recent recession intact.
I have no idea why they call it Black Friday. I'm Canadian, and that is essentially an American marketing scheme that we Canadians are only now copying.
People are crazy. They don't give a shit about crowd numbers or locations. They only want their bloody bargains, to hell with everyone else. By far the majority are WOMEN. Enough said.
@FascistCanuck@xanga
I have far from made the case for being an atheist stronger and you obviously no nothing about being a Christian or a decent human being. Your comments only prove my point. You continue to be condescending and obvious to others feelings. At the very least, try getting some real knowledge about your subject matter before you shoot off you mouth again!
@KateeLee1@xanga - I know everything about religion, enough to know it is not only bullshit, but dangerous, and should be crushed underfoot.
I know everything about Christians. I know they are spineless fools who have decided to follow a lie because life frightens them. I would inform you that I am a far greater human being than any religious fruitcake would ever hope to be. You see, the religious nuts seek to do things for their God, a being that does not even exist. I, on the other hand, only give a damn about Humanity. Which would anyone prefer? Someone who does things for a non-being, or someone who will do things for those who actually exist? I have already defended the homeless, downtrodden bums from psycho nutcases like @AffinityInUnderstanding, to the point the bitch is mine to own. What have you done?
@FascistCanuck@xanga - Oh, ok I understand. and what I meant in my comment regarding europe is that we Romanian's economy has always been a joke. So,... I think that means it is our turn to be the leader of the EU's failure era.
And yes, I feel that Canada can survive everything. seems a very good place, although I have never traveled there yet. It's like Russia, but easier to get along with.
I do wish that women would not make all of us look bad, but there are so many acting crazy (and without any individuality I might add.) But that's for another topic altogether. Also I feel too many have been led to believe that they shouldn't have any interests or hobbies, which makes me sad.
@FascistCanuck@xanga
By the comments you have made have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that you know NOTHING about real believers & followers of God and Jesus! They do not do things "just for" their God! By the very teachings of the Bible they are to consider others needs before their own.
What you are describing is a group of people who walk around under the name of Christian and do very little if not nothing But follow his teachings. And in what you have said about them is totally true.
YOU on the other hand have come here and bashed all believers in God and been nothing but condescending not to mention insulting. Which totally blows your testimony of caring about humanity to smithereens.
Now when you have found out what REAL believers and Followers of Jesus are really like and know full well what the Bible teaches- then maybe you can have a real HONEST opinion about the subject. Till then - Put a Sock in it cause you don't know what you are talking about!