Thanksgiving
Jesus cautioned: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Lu. 12:15. That warning seems especially apt during this week - featuring both Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
Compare what achieved prominence in your Thanksgiving celebration this year with the focus of the Pilgrims, who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1620. Within a few months after arriving, about half of their initial 102 had died from disease or starvation. But by the next fall, the remainder were “well recovered in health and strength,” and had “begun to gather in the[ir] small harvest,” as relayed by their governor, William Bradford, in History of Plymouth Plantation 39 (1890 ed.; initially written 1630-51). While the crop of peas had failed and the barley was merely “indifferent good,” a “good increase of Indian corn” had occurred. To supplement such crops, the governor sent out a hunting party “so that they might, after a special manner, rejoice together after they had gathered the fruit of their labors.” Id. at 40. Likewise, and noting that Native Americans living nearby brought five deer to this feast, the other contemporaneous account of it states, “[A]lthough it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.” Mourt’s Relation: a Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth 81 (original ed. 1622, as edited by Heath, 1963). By contrast, few Americans in our time would summarize their Thanksgiving as focused on God’s provision, much less their “survival;” instead, if truthful, they would note their glut of a combination of “food,” “family” and (American) “football.”
As a logical extension of Thanksgiving so focused, Black Friday comes on the next day (and now in prior weeks). I’ll omit supporting citations because you surely know this already from press reports and advertisements. I confess to following some of these myself.
What we consume – in food and media – in this season tempts us to fall prey to consumerism and materialism. Especially in this period of excess, we need to remember Jesus’ warning – and the immediately following parable of the rich fool (the “build bigger barns” guy who thought he’d “eat, drink and be merry”). As Jesus’ disciples, we should focus instead on self-control, gratitude and generosity. We can do this with thoughtful gift-giving to support our communities and charitable organizations. We might even use Black Friday sales to gather necessities for those in need and to buy meaningful gifts for others.
During this holiday season, what concrete steps will you take to prioritize gratitude, generosity, and spiritual fulfillment? How can we do this together?
- Lloyd