Thanksgiving Traditions???

Sorry, it would make more sense for me to have posted this a few days ago, but as they say, “Better late than never.”  I am outlining ideas for my second book (Christ Centered Contentment) and have spent more time this holiday season thinking about verses like:  “Rejoice always…in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes. 5:16-18)  And, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2)  Being thankful is a sign of genuine contentment.  So I challenge you to reflect on your Thanksgiving weekend.  Which day brought you more joy, fulfillment, excitement, and enjoyment: Thursday or Friday?  You see, I find it ironic that in America we set aside a day specifically designed to gather together with those we love and give thanks.  It truly is an awesome tradition.  Then, before the sun even rises the following day we head out, brave the cold and tiredness, wait in line for hours, and eventually push each other over in a chaotic race to get the best “Black Friday” deals.  It is as if the day of thanksgiving so discombobulated our desire for stuff, so disrupted our sense of want, and so depleted our reserves that we have to make up for it the next day.  I know I am embellishing a little bit, and perhaps the previous few sentences are a little over the top, but isn’t it a little ironic that one of (if not the) highest gross sales/revenue days of the year is the day after thanksgiving?  Isn’t it a little funny that after we give thanks for all we have, we run out and buy more stuff?  The question I will leave you to ponder is: did your enjoyment of Thanksgiving weekend revolve more around Thursday or Friday?  God bless, and may your enjoyment of the Christmas season now upon us not lose sight of the birth of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.