Hello Grafted In Readers,
Today is Monday, November 27 in my corner of blog land and also known as Cyber Monday in the consumer world. I will help a family member do some Cyber Monday shopping later today! Besides, our outdoor weather is frigid, a bit windy, and at about the freezing mark.
This post, I am going to share an excerpt from my current work in progress. Its title, Moments With David, is going to be comprised of several general and faith-based vignettes for personal ponder. Here is the one for this time of year:
Everyone Likes A Discount
David C. Russell
I was a youngster during the 1960s
when American television offered more daytime movie options than at present.
Commercials during these flicks included technical training programs,
bartending courses, truck driver entities in search of new employees, and
discount chainstores. Perhaps the viewership were considered unemployed, under-employed,
middle-aged career changers, modest income earners.
Two phenomena in American business
are The Black Friday Sale, and the annual summer climactic sidewalk sale.
Origin of each type varies in recent time and reason for innovation. Each
offers significant discounts on merchandise to attract the consumer, us.
The Black Friday Sale begins the
shopping period from the day after American Thanksgiving till December 25.
Commercialism has had an ongoing battle of sorts with the believed real reason
for this period: the waning days and weeks leading to the birth of Christ Jesus
the world’s Messiah.
Imagine one season where this
prayer from Psalm 79 becomes the focus of the season alluded to above.
“Help us, God of our salvation—
for the
sake of the glory of Your Name.
Deliver us, and atone for our sins—
for Your
name’s sake.” (Tree Of Life Version Bible)
Can you imagine music being only
holiday songs centered on humanity’s deliverance through the Messiah?
More contemporary songs could be
added to the list of holiday songs we know as classics. We might begin to wrap
our minds around some of what this event of a coming Messiah has provided and
provides our humanity at large and we individuals.
We may have a deeper appreciation
for that part of the world in which the Messiah was born, lived, touched lives,
was crucified on a Thursday and rose from the tomb after three days and nights.
The season with the focus off commercialism might actually engender an
atmosphere of collective generosity towards one another, fortunate or less
fortunate, because of the help received from above.
Reminder: Think of the things in life money cannot buy.
Prayer: Most Holy HaShem, the gift of your Son
surpasses any material gift or treasure we purchase and hold dear, amen.
Me: I am about to finish reading "Song Of The Lark" by Willa Cather and have enjoyed this entertaining life story of a fictional character who finds herself and way in this world. I then plan to read some Wilkie Collins over Winter and friend and author, B.A. Rose.
Until next visit, may the presence of HaShem be with us in our day-to-day lives, discoveries, and struggles.
Mellow Rock
David C. Russell
