I like this famous quote from Yogi Berra (a famous Yankee ball player). His answer to one of the questions journalists tossed at him was, “It’s like deja vu all over again.” And I thought of that, yesterday, after seeing a bunch of reminders for Black Friday 2024.
The same thing is happening again this year that happens every year now. And, as an example of what I mean, here’s what I wrote about it, six years ago, weeks before the actual day was supposed to take place.
I’ve never participated in Black Friday events.
Never. They’re so black. As in dark-cloud-hanging-over-the-day black. Ever since I was old enough to shop with my own money I avoided shopping on that day like the plague. And just this morning I’ve already seen Black Friday news stories showing how emotional shoppers are complaining about lines and horrible checkout experiences. That was 4 in the morning! I can only imagine how much worse it’s liable to get. Why does anyone still physically show up for such abuse?
Black Friday news should be enough to make you skip the trip.
If you’re reading this (or listening to it on my podcast), then you’re fully aware of the internet. And if you’re like most of my readers and listeners, you’re avoiding the the Black Friday madness. You know the best deals are more likely to be found online. And even if the rock-bottom lowest prices are still found in a brick and mortar story, you know it’s not a great deal when you have to suffer the maddening crowds.
Just so you know, I’m not sharing this Black Friday news as an opportunity to sell you anything. You won’t find any links to stores. No SKUs to shoes, glues, or even tattoos. I just wanted to mention how most people forget the reason it’s even called “Black Friday.”
Because it’s the day that jumpstarts the biggest profit section of the year for most retail businesses. But why? Do even half of those retailers realize who they have to thank for their profits? I seriously, seriously doubt it. But I’ll let you know who.
Jesus is the reason for the season and for Black Friday.
Even people who don’t believe in Jesus celebrate Christmas. They just don’t give any credit where credit is due. I used the word “credit” twice because there’s a lot of credit being used today. And look, I just did it again.
Yeah, even if you don’t believe Jesus plays a role in Black Friday anymore, He’s still the reason it ever got started. Believe it or not, America used to be a mostly Christian nation. And Christmas used to be about celebrating the birth of Jesus. And people gave each other gifts to commemorate the wise men taking gifts to the baby Jesus. So, every year, around this time, after families had gathered together for Thanksgiving (giving thanks to God by the way), they found themselves in the mood for giving.
And the shopping began.
Believe it or not, it began with joy and gladness. But as America (and the world) has fallen away from Jesus, it’s no surprise how black and gloomy Black Friday has become. Even as I read this Black Friday news I’m sharing with you, I can feel the gloom. And since I don’t want this time of year to be black and gloomy, I’m gonna end it here.
And I encourage you to avoid the temptation to join in the Black Friday 2024 blues. You can thank me later.
And I didn’t wanna sing no sappy little Christmas songs.
Didn’t wanna see no perky little Christmas kid.
Didn’t wanna shop at no mall or spend any money at all.
And I Didn’t wanna leave my house, but I’m glad I did.
(from my song “The Christmas Spirit”)
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