Black Friday World

Where is peace in a “Black Friday” world? One of the worst examples of our consuming culture was reported by The Daily News. “A shopper who collapsed while shopping at a Target store in West Virginia went almost unnoticed as customers continued to hunt for bargain deals. Walter Vance, a 61-year-old pharmacist, who reportedly suffered from a prior heart condition, later died at the hospital. Witnesses say some shoppers ignored and even walked over the man's body as they continued to shop. Friends and co-workers saddened to learn of his death, expressed outrage over the way he was treated by shoppers.

"Where is the good Samaritan side of people?" one co-worker asked. "How could you not notice someone was in trouble? I just don't understand if people didn't help what their reason was, other than greed because of a sale."

We know that before the compassionate Samaritan showed up to help, others (a couple of preachers in fact, devout religious people) acted in much the same way as these Black Friday shoppers. They were all guided by something other than our God, which is idolatry. But perhaps the real point of connection is how the injured man in Jesus story got into that situation to begin with. Jesus says, “he fell into the hands of robbers.” These robbers “stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.”

Jesus told us that there is one who came to steal, kill and destroy. Our all consuming culture robs us of our humanity to the point that people could step over a dying man, completely ignoring his condition, to save a few hundred dollars on their most coveted items. There is something seriously wrong with this whole scenario. There is something sinister… something evil about the rampant greed and materialism all around us.

Jesus went on to say, “I have come that they may have life – real, full, abundant, eternal life!” In this season we worship a King who was born to peasant parents in simple surroundings. This Messiah was laid in a manger. We call Him King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of peace… Emmanuel – God with us. During this Christmas season, let us not get caught up in the culture of consumerism, which only leads us to consume and use one another. Instead, let us be guided by a star to come and bow before a simple Savior, offering ourselves to Him once more.

Pilgrim Song

It's not easy to walk in the rain,

And I walk with my eyes to the ground,

And I often ignore the rainbow above,

And the coming of the sun.

When I started on the journey

I was so energetic

And I didn't know

that it would be so slow.

Just a helping hand for neighbors

And a smile to cheer the pilgrims

And the Book to show us

clearly where to go.

But so many fell behind,

some didn't even know

About the journey we could

take towards the sun,

And I find myself bewildered by the needs of those around,

Struggling in the cold rain.

There is beauty on the journey

As the crippled and the poorest

Carry others' burdens too, to my surprise.

And I find we need each other

As we struggle with the darkness

Often spurred by rays of light in clouded skies.

But the spirit of so many dies in all the gloom

And many others starve and fall along the Way,

And I find myself in anger that the strongest will not share,

Deafened to the cries of pain.

There have been times of heavy weather

When I've thought of giving up

And questioned whether anyone has made it through.

But I stake my life on what I know of Jesus and His love

And see the rainbow as my sign that it is true.

And the power that comes from sharing all the power we have,

And the glimpse of peace and justice on the Way

Is enough to make me lift my eyes and take another arm

Strong enough for one more day.

It's not easy to walk in the rain,

And I walk with my eyes to the ground,

And I often ignore the rainbow above,

And the coming of the sun.

And the coming of the sun.

~ Ross Langmead