Black Thursday/Friday

In some ways, I'm a bit of a traditionalist.  It just seems wrong to me that stores should start opening up late on Thanksgiving Day with their special "Black Friday" deals.  I know that more and more stores are staying open on holidays, and sometimes I have been thankful for that (especially when I've forgotten something for the meal!), but I still lament the fact that some people have to work while most of the rest of us take time to eat and be lazy.

So when I was hearing about all these stores opening up or starting their deals at times such as 10:00 PM on Thursday, I felt bad for a number of families.  How many people had to change their usual schedule of Thanksgiving simply because they had to work.  Granted, many of them may have been thankful for the extra hours, especially if they got holiday pay, since so many in our nation are now struggling to make ends meet.  I just find it sad that it comes at the cost of a time that is supposed to be dedicated to thankfulness and family.

Yes, my wife and I made our way to one of the local stores that started their deals at 10:00.  Really, there weren't that many things that we wanted.  In some ways, we really wanted to see what the crowds would be like.  And wow, were there ever crowds.  I have never seen that particular store as busy as it was at that time.  Even with our skills at finding the couple of things we were looking for and picking the short line, it still took about 45 minutes to get in and out. 

I recognize that many families need to look for good deals because money is tight.  But in the back of my mind, this whole Black Thursday/Friday thing seems much more about greed and covetousness than about saving money and being thankful.  It seems much more about profit and money than anything else.  And when Jesus said that a person cannot serve both God and money (mammon), I find it sad that so many people are bowing down to the almighty dollar.

Will it change?  I seriously doubt it.  When stores and businesses realize that there is money to be made, they will probably find it irresistible.  A few will probably try to hold out, only to realize that their profit margins start slipping, and then they have to fight for those customers.  But in the end, the thing that really seems to stand out in all of this is the love of the almighty dollar, and bowing down to false gods and idols of our own making.

Beads, Confession, and Pancakes: Oh my!

Okay, maybe I piqued your interest a little with the flashy title to today's entry.  But then, it's a flashy time of year (please pardon the poor pun). 

You may be familiar with the celebration of Mardi Gras at this time of year.  People seem to flock to New Orleans and engage in a time of celebration (and a bit more) each year around this time.  I'm not here to dwell on what all this celebration has come to be, but rather, to look at the meaning behind it.

Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras are, in some respects, an observance of the Christian Church year.  No, you won't look on any calendar in a church and see those days there, but their origin is based upon a long-standing church tradition.  And this tradition all begins with a day known as Ash Wednesday (more on this tomorrow).

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, which has long been observed in Christian churches throughout the world.  This is a 40 day season (not including Sundays), drawn from Jesus' fasting and temptation for 40 days in the wilderness following His baptism, and echoing the Israelites' 40 year wandering in the desert. 

This season of Lent is a season of repentance and observing our need for a Savior.  One tradition that many follow is to "give up" something that is harmful in their life.  Originally, the desire was to give up a sinful behavior, breaking the habit of it over the 40 day period.

Now, bringing this back to Fat Tuesday.  Since many would give up a sinful behavior for the duration of Lent, the Tuesday before Lent would be an observance of their last "sinful" day.  Sadly, that tradition has been perverted by some to actually engage in more sinful behavior and to simply have a wild time of it.  But the origin was to remember the need for a Savior and to admit that need to God.

Thus, people were encouraged to go to their priest or pastor to make confession of their sin.  Because there would be so many people coming, quite often, a meal would be organized.  Especially in poorer regions, a simple meal was all that could prepared.  Things like pancakes came to be seen as part of the meal, as people would eat together as they awaited their turn at the confessional.

Still today, many Christian traditions hold to this day called "Shrove Tuesday" (after having confessed and been forgiven, one is said to have been shriven of their sins, hence the name).  Most enjoy a meal together, often consisting of pancakes.  In some places, the opportunity for confession is still provided.  This helps to prepare the soul for the observance of Lent and the journey to the cross.

Do you have any traditions relating to Shrove Tuesday (or even Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday)?  Knowing the origin of this day, do you have any new thoughts about what you make of this day?