Original entry: November 24, 2007
Sisters, OR
4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. Psalm 16:4
Yesterday was the day after Thanksgiving and one of the busiest shopping days of the year-the infamous Black Friday. After hearing a sermon by my friend Matt Smith we learned that in 2006 Americans spent 450 BILLION dollars on Christmas alone. This amount exceeded the 28.2 billion dollars given in foreign aid the same year, and all for one day!
Here is the kicker.
We spent 450 billion dollars and it isn’t our birthday! On Jesus’ birthday we buy and give gifts to each other but not Jesus? This rocked our world and convicted Shanna and I because wee too chase after the American god of consumerism and not the God of the universe- that is Christ on the most important day of the year.
For most of my life I have “run after” the god of Christmas, which for many Americans seems to be consumerism and not Christ.
I admit it. I am troubled by it.
As I reflect on Black Friday I have come to realize that this god-chasing day has only created sorrow in my life. In fact, the “sorrows” of those will increase as we stand in stress-filled lives, run up credit card after credit card, and worry more about the gifts we will receive than the greatest gift of all.
Maybe we should be asking the question, “Jesus what do you want us to give to you for your birthday?” Celebrate October 23, March 15, February 8, July 31, December 14 or some other random day with showering gifts upon those you love, but let Christmas be for and about the God of the universe instead of the god of the world.
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
