var gaJsHost = ((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? “https://ssl.” : “http://www.”); document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src='” + gaJsHost + “google-analytics.com/ga.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”)); try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(“UA-12356560-1”); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {} The new Target ads for Black Friday are a beating and, for me, illuminate all the negative about what Christmas has become for so many in this country.  The commercial depicts a lady in hysterics about the opening of Target at 4:00 AM or whatever crazy time they throw the doors open.  Now, full disclosure requires me to tell you that I make a living in the retail industry and that Black Friday is a BIG day for my company but it doesn’t mean I like what drives it.  I suppose it’s not really all the shopping and ridiculous spending that I have been a part of in my life as much as it’s the spirit of which I hear things and see things, in others and in myself, that irritate me.

On Facebook and so many other places, I will begin to see people writing “Keep Christ in Christmas”.  Now, I’m all for it if they are all keeping Christ in Christmas and this is what it would look like to me.  Money being spent lavishly on the hurting, homeless, drug-addicted, porn fueled broken people that are so easy to find all around us.  Money being spent lavishly on people in third-world countries (another term I’d like to find a better replacement for), being sent to Christian Relief Fund, Charity Water, Mision Para Cristo and other worthy organizations. 

How many toys can I have?  Heaven knows I have asked for and gladly accepted more than I could ever use or need and I have done the same thing with my kids at times.  I thank God I and they are in a place now where a couple of gifts is enough (still more than we need) and I can send money to help others…or better yet, I can keep Christ in Christmas by serving with my time and with my heart. 

Grace and peace to you.