Advent – no, rather the “Christmas season” – started early this year. During the first week of October I began seeing lawn signs stating “We do Christmas Lights” next to the political lawn signs, somehow as if looking at one made you look at the other. The orange and purple lights of Halloween are now red, green, and even neutral. I hope those houses have solar panels.
The annual pitches started early as well, telling us we can double or triple our end-of-the year contribution to this, that, or the other group we support or have never heard of. And today, of course, is “Cyber Monday,” a way to make Jeff Bezos even wealthier.
The New York Times had its annual “gift giving guide” of things you don’t need that cost a fortune. It doesn’t include, of course, anything you can buy from a fair trade nonprofit organization. So who needs an evening pouch for $395 or wall vases for $190? This in a nation where people are struggling to buy health insurance or feed their families. Makes you wonder about the values we claim to hold.
Prayer for the Day
From the ways of self-deception and self-indulgence, O God,
We turn aside to come before you and search our hearts;
Move us beyond our preoccupation with our own lives and fortunes
And awaken us to the world around us to share your all-inclusive love.
Turn our hearts and deeds towards the world beyond
So we live life more fully as you intended.
In the name of the One who shows us the way,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.
John Ortberg, pastor, writer
We are all more blind to what we have than to what we have not.
Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness, come into God’s presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God. It is God who made us,
And we belong to God, the sheep of God’s pasture
Psalm 100: 1-3