A sensation has been hitting America lately called "The Christmas Creep." This phenomenon is where in early as October and even September retailers are putting up Christmas decorations and advertising sales and layaway for Xmas. There are many who resent this movement, but in actuality it has its basis not in corporate greed, but in history and the times we live in. According to one article the reason the Christmas Creep is taking place is that retailers are not getting in the Black as they once were during the December season. People tend to be purchasing presents and spending major money earlier in the year, particularly months prior to Christmas. The reason for this is convenience and the fact that shopping has evolved to online and people are weary of the liens and chaos on Black Friday and closer to Christmas Eve. Companies like Target, K-Mart, and Lowe's are putting up Christmas decorations because they know people will likely spend the hard earned money now than later in what was traditionally the Black period, when companies grossed most of their revenue for the year.
Before anyone starts a mutiny against this movement, here are some facts. Firstly, it has its roots in history. Have you heard of "Christmas in July?" Well it is not Hallmark's reruns of Christmas Movies in July, but was when people prepared cards and presents to send to troops in WWII Europe. Often it took a long time to ship items back then and people in America had to prepare Christmas presents in July so they would arrive in December. Secondly, the Christmas Creep is serving us Christians in another way, it is eclipsing and nullifying Halloween, the holiday of death and devils. Christmas is about Christ and Life, and I frankly would rather be bombarded with images of hope, salvation, love, joy, and whimsy than all the horror, sorcery, lust, Jack-o-lanterns, and wickedness of Halloween. Jesus Christ our God said, "I am the Way, Truth, and Life..," (John 14:6) and He also said, "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). Our God who is Jesus Christ and One with Father and Holy Spirit is a God of life, who bestow eternal life (John 3:16) and who defeated death, "O death, where is your victory?O death, where is your sting?”For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:55-57), holds power over death, "I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18), and who will destroy death forever, "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death." (Revelation 20:14). Halloween in contrast celebrates a folklore nihilism and demonic form of death. It is frankly startling that people believe they can celebrate Holloween which is about hellion things and death, and then celebrate Christmas which is about heavenly things and life.
I frankly suppose undermining Halloween and raising up the only holiday left with Christ's name in it, Christmas. I think we should accept the Christmas Creep as the work of the Lord removing the hollow and evil holiday of Halloween. Why celebrate death? When we believe in God who is Life (John 14:6)! So go ahead and trim the tree, buy your decorations, and get ready for Christmas. The truth is Autumn has monopoly, with three months (90 days) and Christmas only gets one month (31 days, but in truth only 25 plus the few days after Thanksgiving). I would rather expand the Christmas season into earlier months, than have to tolerate the ghastly and Satanic celebration called Halloween. I believe many more people feel as I do, for I see Christmas lights already being put up and at Lowe's decorations and even trees and specialty lights are flying off the shelves. People don't want darkness, they want light, they don't want death they want life (1 Peter 2:9). The Country is craving Christ and His hope (Titus 2:13) and Life (John 14:6), even if many do not yet know Him they search for Him in the garland, pine trees, lights, and more. People want hope in their uncertain and changing world, they are rejecting the depressing and devilish holiday of death and embracing the celebration of hope, salvation, life, and the words of the angel Gabriel, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." /(Luke 22:10-11, 13-14). Halloween needs to be buried and die, and the celebration of Life itself, of Christ should shine even greater and longer this year. Amen.
Addendum:
In this world of change and uncertainty, we have this blessing and joy, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8).
Comments
Post a Comment