In today's copy of the daily Enid newspaper, the front page listed half a page of "tips for surviving Black Friday". For those of you who don't live in the USA, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. (Thanksgiving is tomorrow, 26 November.) Black Friday has been known as the biggest shopping day of the year for quite some time now. It is the day that the stores offer big discounts to entice people to buy their Christmas gifts from them. The newspaper's tips for Black Friday included how to get the best deals, getting into the store first to grab that popular item before anyone else does (such as "camp out in front of the store all night"), as well as many other pointers.
(Incidentally, today's paper also talked about a popular company that sells turkeys. Apparently, this company has over 50 employees working the "hotline" on Thanksgiving Day to take all the calls from people asking a myriad of turkey-cooking questions. The paper said this company wants to be known as the "turkey experts", so they have created this turkey hotline.)
Why is the day after Thanksgiving in the USA called Black Friday? I've read that the term originated because of the amount of vehicle traffic on the roads that day. I've also read that more recently it has referred to the successful money-making of businesses coming out of the "red" (debt) into the "black" (profit). One website said that American shoppers spent 10.6 billion dollars on Black Friday last year.
Sadly and ironically, the term Black Friday is more fitting now than ever. Last year, one employee in New York was trampled to death by a flood of shoppers rushing into the store to get the best deals on Christmas gifts. Two other men died in a toy store. Their wives got into an argument at the check-out counter, and the two men pulled out guns and fatally shot each other (while their kids watched). And this is supposed to be the start of the time when we "get into the holiday spirit"? And what exactly is this "holiday spirit" we celebrate in the USA? Is it really (like I've heard all my life) celebrating the birth of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah)? Is it really a Christian holy day? Is it really something Yahweh (God) wants us to celebrate?
Before we go any further, let me just warn you that this, my first official blog post, may very well be quite controversial. Read further at your own risk!
Actually, it IS controversial! It has been for me too. When Yahweh put a serious conviction in my heart, mind, soul and spirit about 4 years ago when I was living in Australia, it was a HARD thing for me to consider! It needs to be controversial! Anything that our Adonai points out to us that is not of HIM in our lives should be so uncomfortable for us that it hurts to take an honest look at ourselves, our hearts, our lives...and we cannot be at peace in our relationship with Him until we allow Him to show us what and how to change.
So, what if all I had heard about Christmas all my life was suddenly pointed out to me by God Himself to be something that is not of Him?
After months of inward struggle and research about the traditions and background of Christmas, I came to the absolute yet difficult decision that I would no longer celebrate Christmas. This was before I really began to see the truth in the Scriptures about the Hebrew roots of our faith in Yeshua and relationship with Yahweh. This was before I really knew what the WORD says about what and when we should celebrate (the Feasts and Festivals proclaimed by Yahweh as "a covenant forever, throughout your generations"). So I decided to stop celebrating Christmas, and not many people understood or even wanted to know details of why I made this decision. But I knew that Yahweh would show me more of His truth and His Word.
I don't think this blog is the place to get into all the details of why Christmas is not a God-appointed celebration, or even a godly celebration. I have spent so much time reading and researching the pagan history and pagan traditions involved in this "Christian" holiday. I cannot put them all in this blog right now.
My point and purpose in this blog today is to say this:
during this time of tradition and celebration in our culture, let us be careful to listen to the Voice of the ONE TRUE GOD, we say we follow. Let us allow Him to cut away anything in our lives that is not of Him. Let us take a difficult and honest look at what His Word actually says rather than basing our faith and relationship on what traditions of the church tell us.
Yes, this is controversial.
I will never be the same. And I will never turn back.
I am so glad Yahweh continues to open my eyes to HIS truth and circumcise my heart and soul to be made more and more in His image!
I am so thankful to Him for His salvation through Yeshua, His redemption, His faithfulness, His everlasting covenant! I am thankful today, tomorrow, and everyday!
Thanks for listening to my first ramblings on my new blog site. Hope you'll come back for more!
Gina
PS If you really want to start digging into the truth about Christmas and Yahweh's commanded feasts, this website is a good place to start (many others also have info).
http://www.messianic.com/messianic-teachings/37-miscellaneous/73-the-lies-of-christmas.html
(copy and paste into your browser)
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Hi Gina I agree with you about Christmas not being a God appointed celebration. Though did think I was the only one with that POV. For several years I haven't made much of an effort to celebrate Christmas because found the conflict between what honours God and what doesn't too much. No presents, special foods, church service on the day, carols etc. Instead I see it as an opportunity to spend time with good friends and family.
ReplyDeleteDear Gina,
ReplyDeleteI have appreciation for your heart to hear from and obey God with your whole heart.
Having come to much the same place as you about Christmas, it is encouraging to hear you arriving there also. 'Tis not an easy thing, especially with family.
Several years ago, in my searching journey for God's path, I also seriously considered taking up celebrating the OT feasts. But the more I studied the NT, the more it did not come together. Especially was spoken to by Colossians 2:10-17. I see the OT feasts as shadows & types of what was coming in Jesus, who fulfilled them.
May He bless and keep you.