You’ve probably heard the beautiful song by Faith Hill called “Where are you Christmas?“. Well, I want to write one called “Where are you Thanksgiving?” and I’ll wear one of these shirts while I sing it!
Seriously, did anyone else see Christmas stuff being put out in stores before Halloween? I did! Why is it so hard for people to wait just one more little month to start shopping for Christmas? One more little month to spend being thankful for all of their bountiful blessings? Thirty more days to enjoy before the craziness of the holidays hits us full force?? Is that too much to ask?
I remember when I was small, we didn’t hear a peep about Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving. Sure, us kids would be making our mental lists for Santa all year long, and some of us would even put them to paper well in advance (now we realize we were just undiagnosed OCD’ers, but that’s for another post). Our parents weren’t rushing around to find the perfect gift (that would probably end up in a yard sale the following year), no worrying if we’d been naughty or nice and whether or not we would get a visit from Santa, no sitting up all night watching the Santa Radar on the local news. It was understood that Thanksgiving Day was just as sacred as Christmas for us – and it wasn’t about Pilgrims and Indians and sharing maize.
Thanksgiving was, and still is for me, my favorite holiday. It means the whole month of November to remember how blessed I am. A whole month to give thanks to God for all that He has done for me and my family, for our freedoms in the United States, for the little things that we take for granted the rest of the year. It’s a time to pray for those who are not so blessed, that they might have something to be thankful for as well. November is a month to give to those less fortunate, to help them prepare for the coming cold months – be it clothes, food, blankets, coats, shoes… We should do this all year, yes, but when you start focusing seriously on your blessings (and all the items in your wardrobe!), it’s hard not to want to share it with those in need.
Last night I was watching one of the legal-fictional-type-shows on tv. During a commercial break I saw FOUR – count them FOUR – Christmas commercials! In a row! I sighed and felt a pang of pity for those who are already running around spending money they don’t have, on things that others don’t need, for people they probably don’t really even like much.
Maybe it’s age, or maybe it’s that I’m finally growing out of my Baby Christian phase (though I do still stumble when I try to Walk now and then), but I prefer to enjoy this month without worrying about Christmas yet. For that matter, I don’t plan to worry about Christmas in December either. I plan to spend it celebrating the world-changing, life-altering, supernatural birth of Jesus Christ, and God coming to earth in the form of that little baby in the manger.
I refuse to buy into (figuratively or literally) the commercialization of my Savior’s birth!
What about you?
- What are your thoughts on Thanksgiving being pushed to the back burner these days?
- Are there any special things your family does to celebrate Thanksgiving?
Personally I adore Thanksgiving. We do not buy Christmas gifts or decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. We as a family always give the day it’s due because it truly is the most fabulous of days. We also never start our Christmas countdown until after Thanksgiving….I adore Christmas but hate that Thanksgiving is often skipped over.
I think they start pushing Christmas on us to make us frantic and for us to start thinking about spending money earlier. Thanksgiving isn’t really a money making holiday (unless of course you are in the turkey business!)
Interesting questions Melinda
Well, I suppose my posting baby chick in her pj’s on fb the other night tells the story best! After 3 episodes of Christmas DVD’s I screamed “enough.” We’re waiting to watch these until after Thanksgiving. Like you, I love Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday as well. This year, however, I’ve been crunching so much into my life and trying to be efficient regarding the Christmas season, I’ve found myself longing for the quiet of Thanksgiving. I’ve missed it this year, and I regret that.
I’m so blessed to be the person I am; a child of the King, a wife to Billy, and a momma to 4 lovelies that nearly rip my heart to shreds with their incredible spirits. Oh, and I also am a daughter to two incredible parents and daughter-in-law to the same. And I’ve got my health… thank you Jesus for all the “passes” I’ve received this year.
And I’ve got some Harrry and David’s chocolates close by, so all in all, life is very good right now! I’m feeling more thankful already.
Now, to locate those tree lights I bought last year on sale
peace~elaine
Oh, and thanks for sending me updates in my e-mail box. I would forget to check here on a regular basis. I’m dopey like that.
Well, Melinda, you might not like it in my house! LOL! I love Thanksgiving too but I am already done with nearly all my Christmas shopping and have my Christmas music playing. I can’t help it!
I LOVE Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays. At our house we love our “traditional non-traditional Thanksgiving.” Each of my children and husband put in a request for what they want on the menu that day. I end up creating several different meals but everyone enjoys it, and there are no turned up noses asking what that is and do they have to eat it. Following the meal we go see whatever family movie is out in theatres.. last year it was Bolt and I hope it is The CHRISTmas Carol this year. The following day we set up our CHRISTmas tree. Next week the kids will not be doing school and instead we will be preparing our hearts and mind for Thanksgiving.
Way before marketing companies began throwing CHRISTmas…oh wait, excuse me HOLIDAYS. … (rme) on us in October, I was already playing CHRISTmas music and getting a mental picture of what I wanted to get the kids, how I wanted to decorate, and what we’d do different this year. I LOVE CHRISTmas and will not apologize for enjoying the Spirit of it way before December.
But then again, I don’t spend just November giving Thanks either. I like to do both the whole year through!
Thanksgiving is my mohter’s dressing! They wer trying to tell us in our weight watchers meeting not to eat too much dressing…and making fun of the fact I call it dressing instead of stuffing…but I’ll go without food all week to eat her dressing on Thrusday. I have noticed that the fall season and Thanksgiving gets dumped right after Halloween. I love the Fall and the changing of the leaves, hunting season as my men prepare to go out. My son shot his first turkey on Thanksgiving day a few years ago. He loved the ture reinactment of the day.
But just like we should remember the reason for the Christmas season all year….we can also be thankful all year.
Thanks for replying, everyone! Samantha and Kristen, I wouldn’t think of denying anyone their Christmas music or ~cringe~ shopping before Thanksgiving!! I have just chosen not to myself this year Now, my kids are nearly all grown – so that certainly makes things easier! I do remember (fondly) shopping for Christmas gifts for my kids all year long, then trying to hide them until the day arrived. Now it’s much easier, because they want fewer (albeit more expensive!) items.
People gasped when I tell them I haven’t bought any gifts yet this year – I think it’s kind of funny. I will admit that I ordered a gift online today – but it’s a customized item that I wanted to make SURE would be here in time.
I can’t wait until the 27th so I can crank up my Mannheim Steamroller, Burl Ives, and country star Christmas CDs!