The week just flew by, again. Why is it that the older ones gets, the faster the time goes by? I remember, as a child, getting pretty antsy around this time of the year because 'would Thanksgiving ever get here' and, after that, it seemed like an eternity until we were tearing into Christmas gifts. These days, I don't dare blink or find myself with minutes to spare before I have to be totally ready for the holidays.
Of course, the stores aren't much help. There is no chance for anticipation as the Halloween items were cheek to cheek to the Christmas decorations with Thanksgiving necessities filling in any gaps on the shelf. One stop holiday shopping?
I rather liked the gradual progression into festivities. It was always exciting when the Halloween candy appeared on the shelves. Of course, back in the day, it wasn't quite the 'holy day of obligation' the world has turned it into now. Hey, I don't even recall there being such a thing as a Halloween card. I still can't figure out why you would spend money and a stamp on wishing someone a Happy Halloween.
But, as soon as the Halloween candy appeared this year, the Christmas stuff was being stocked. We could actually have given out Christmas candy to the Trick or Treaters! Too much blurring of the holidays for me.
The sad part is Christmas. We have already been blasted with commercials about what 'everyone' wants for Christmas on television. I heard Walmart is holding a 'Black Friday' shopping day this week rather than the 'traditional' after Thanksgiving event. If things go like last year, Valentine's Day goodies will start coming in before they've even dusted off the shelves from the Christmas sales. Does anyone get a chance to appreciate and savor the holidays anymore?
The spirit of the holiday season is pretty much reduced in the frenzy of bargain shopping. The police warn us that crime is up, don't carry cash, and keep your shopping bags out of sight in your cars. Makes you wonder how a baby born in Bethlehem could incite all this? Naturally, Jesus did not propose this materialistic mob of people pushing each other through the aisles of the stores. He must find it sad that the people who make it a point to get up early for the sales, are the ones who stay home on Christmas and forget to attend church to give thanks for His sacrifice in coming among us.
No comments:
Post a Comment