Once again Thanksgiving is over, and the American tradition of Black Friday shopping is in full swing. In years past the stores would remain closed on Thanksgiving day, and would open early Friday morning.
Over the last ten years or so, I've noticed a gradual encroachment upon the Thanksgiving holiday. Midnight openings gave way this year to 8pm openings. Wal-Mart, not to be outdone by other stores, opened at 6pm.
I believe that everybody should remain closed on Thanksgiving, and open the doors on Friday morning. However I've heard from the Black Friday crowd that if I believe that, then Facebook, NFL, and parades need to be shut down on Thanksgiving. Otherwise I'm being hypocritical.
I believe that one of the purposes of the Thanksgiving holiday is to share in a national event of giving thanks. Even though the number of people claiming Christ as their Savior continues to fall, everybody could come together with friends and family and celebrate.
There was something special when you drove to Grandma's house on Thanksgiving day to see little traffic out, and everything but 7-11 closed.
So another tradition of my childhood appears to be going by the wayside. I'm sure next year we'll see stores beat Wal-Mart's opening by a few hours, and perhaps in ten years nothing will be closed on Thursday. Maybe the holiday will be changed to "Black Thanksgiving".
As for me and my family, we've stayed home. I don't need to save 50% on junk that I really don't need. I'm already tired of the commercialism of the Christimas season.
We're celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday on Friday to ensure all of our immediate family can be here. While the mongrel hordes are out attacking the malls, I'm staying home.
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