Day 198: Remember the Time... We Forgot the True Meaning of Christmas

I remember the time that we forgot the true meaning of Christmas. I remember this time every year on Black Friday, every year I do any shopping in December, and every year I see people plotting out their celebrations to avoid certain family members.


Regarding the shopping - it's gotten out of control. People used to start lining up a few hours before the stores opened for Black Friday deals. Then stores started opening late the night before Black Friday. Now, people are actually missing Thanksgiving dinner because they have to stand in line in the cold two entire days before the store opens - all to get several hundred dollars off a new TV. (And guess what? With the exception of the very few "doorbuster deals" only the first few in line get to take advantage of, all the discounts are also available online.)


Shopping for anything during the month of December is also an ordeal. I had to go to Wal-Mart for dog food and some vitamins the week before December and regretted it the moment I realized I wasn't going to be able to park in the Wal-Mart portion of the plaza parking lot. Forget maneuvering a cart around the children being dragged by their frantic last-minute-shopping moms or anyone following the rules of the 10-items-or-less lanes.

And I have to say that I don't remember or cherish any gift more than I do one someone made for me. Ironic, right?


But when the shopping is done, that's when it's supposed to be all about family. I know that especially in big families not everyone can get along. Not everyone does get along. But that is no reason to avoid family gatherings all together. Or keep your kids away from family gatherings to hold onto a grudge. Or ask when certain family members are going to be at other parties so you can plan celebrations without them.

Family is what makes the holidays special. Not the shiny new TV, headache traffic, or snatching the "perfect gift" eyed by another shopper off the shelf first. 


Keep your money in your wallet and just spend some time with me. And join me in celebrating the birth of our Lord and savior.