It must be that time of year again

Retailers' new mascot? 

When unbridled consumerism and the lust for the acquisition of financial gain to the exclusion of any other consideration takes center stage.  Using the celebration of the Lord of Hosts born in the humble surroundings of a 1st century stable as the point of reference, we've now effectively moved to eliminate that other silly tradition of thanking God and being with family that stood in the way of increased time for increasing the Bottom Line.  I know, I know. It's what it is.  So were the Death Camps.  So was Slavery.  So were the Crusades.  A sorry excuse. 

Christians who do uphold the value of the Free Market and support the Capitalist approach are in a tough position.  One of the prime movers of godlessness, blasphemy, hedonism, narcissism, selfishness, debauchery, greed and apathy is the Market.  Look at the latest buxom beauty scantly dressed in order to sell a car or bottle of beer, and you can bet there's a corporate interest behind it.   Not some philosophical or religious or ideological movement.  Just the lust for profit at all costs.

I can say I won't shop at stores that are now opening on Thanksgiving, but I was never a blind fool who risked injury and death for the latest electronic gadget on Black Friday anyway.  So it doesn't mean much when I say I won't flip the bird to hapless low wage earners yanked from their families on Thanksgiving to appease the corporate interest.  It is, however, making me reevaluate my adherence to the acquisition of things as the patriotic duty of Americans.  It is also reminding me that even the best ideas developed by man, when filtered through a fallen world, mixed with sinful humanity, and given time, can end up serving the Darkness rather than the Light.  

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6.10