Well, I admit I didn't do any shopping today. Still, it was a memorable Black Friday. See, yesterday (Thanksgiving) we got a headstart on decorating for Christmas, even though our family officially marks today, the day after Thanksgiving, as our official beginning of the Christmas holiday. So we started putting up some lights on the roof and around the yard.
In the corner of our yard are two palm trees which lit up quite nicely last year, so we proceeded to put the lights up again this year. Only this time, some of our family members didn't like the way the lights looked saying they looked more like a person than a tree--specifically a man who looked like his arms were stretched out and his head was drooping.
Hmm. Black Friday. The beginning of Christmas...a tree...and a man with head down and outstretched arms...
This coming Sunday (November 28th) will begin the season of Advent, a time when we anticipate the birth of our Savior. And, on this Black Friday, looking at the lights in the tree, I am reminded of the gifts that were brought to Him--frankincense, gold, and...myrrh. The first two pointed to His royalty and honor while the last foreshadowed His death. The death that would undo and abolish all death (see 2 Timothy 1:10). The death that we now identify with another ironically dark and yet celebrated occasion--Good Friday.
So today is a good day for me to remember these things--a good day to particularly start anticipating Christmas--and a good day for me to start a tradition of giving a double meaning to Black Friday.
There's a specific song I love that I think I'll bring to mind as we move into this Christmas season. It's not a Christmas song per se but the last two lines seem particularly meaningful on this day. It's by Michael W. Smith, called Secret Ambition and can be found here . I'll close with the words to the chorus and hope that it will help us all to continue giving thanks as we continue this Christmas season:
Nobody knew His secret ambition Nobody knew His claim to fame He broke the old rules steeped in tradition He tore the holy veil away Questioning those in powerful position Running to those who called His name But nobody knew His secret ambition Was to give His life away