Are you in the thick of the hustle and bustle this Christmas season? Browsing the online stores or driving here and there. Everywhere, the snap, crackle, and sparkle beckon holiday shoppers.
Black Friday, the greatest shopping day in America, has come and gone. And still, there is no lack of consumer deals—advertised as steals. Toys, electronics, clothes, cars, jewelry—you name it.
But in case you don’t know.
It’s Christmas mania!
Another phrase is ‘commercialized Christmas.’ Or the tapping into emotional ties and passions to sell things—masquerading as Christmas spirit.
It’s glitzy sales and holiday glam. It’s year-end marketing and big-time bucks for retail stores. And we’re all tuned in. Shopping and counting down the days till Christmas.
What red-blooded American doesn’t like sales? And who doesn’t want Christmas cheer?
Few can resist the clever Christmas ads and the store discounts to boot. I must admit, forty-inch TVs for $99.00 are a steal!
Many people camped out or stood in line at Wal-Mart for hours for these holiday TV deals? And once you’re in the store, you’re sure to splurge and leave with much more.
What’s the point of the deals and steals? Get them in; they will buy. And Christmas is the reason why!
The savvy marketers know how to lure shoppers into their stores. Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Belk and other retailers spend months preparing for the holiday shopping season.
And what are shoppers looking for?
They want to be a part of the Christmas cheer. They want to get in the Christmas spirit— the excitement of buying presents for others and the anticipation of receiving gifts.
Sometimes, finding that special gift for mom, dad, sons, daughters, husband, or friends becomes a twenty-four-day quest. Oh! Don’t forget to buy a little something for yourself. You deserve it like the rest.
All the advertisements for Christmas cheer associated with buying stuff stress and pressure many. Buy! Buy! Buy! And many people overdo it to fill and feel the Christmas spirit.
I have nothing against stores making profits or shoppers taking advantages of sales. I like shopping too.
But if having the Christmas spirit costs money, all of us would be spiritless. Those who have money to spend and those who don’t.
Is it the Spirit of Christmas or Christmas mania?
Our hearts hold the answer.
Many will celebrate Christmas by giving or receiving and not know the ‘greatest gift,’ Jesus Christ. On December 25th, we celebrate His birth.
Let’s keep Christ in Christmas.
Give the gift of Jesus and attach a bright red bow.
Give the spirit of peace, love, and happiness with your heart and face aglow.
And warm the hearts of others who are not in the know.
Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season, not Santa Claus.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Unwrap the gift of Jesus.
In Him is the spirit of Christmas.
Merry Christmas Everybody!
Holy! Holy! Holy!
“Peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day.” Helen Steiner Rice