Consumerism.

Consumerism.
Yep thats the word...
I looked it up on Wikipedia (hehe) and the definition summed it up for me.

CONSUMERISM: The equation of personal happiness with consumption and the purchase of material possessions.

I was thinking about the whole "financial crisis" that Americans are going through... it seems like everyone is being bailed out... Where is the application? I gotta sign up and stand in line.
I'm thinking of gifts for Christmas. What to give people...
But here is a question: What do you give to someonethat already has everything?
Huh...

Really, it seems tha everyone has everything they need.
More than 10 Billion dollars were spent on Black Friday, the day after thanksgiving, at malls and stores.
Did you get that?
More than 10 BILLION!

Here is another question:
Where are the days when a kid could ask for a toy truck or a doll? Where are those days?

I remember as a kid, opening up my presents on Christmas Eve... not Christmas morning. We were too anxious, so that became our tradition.

I remember unwrapping the gift wrap... opening the box and finding out that there was a TOY FIRETRUCK inside... Yea, man, Those were the... Im telling you, man. I vroom-vroomed it all day every day in the hardwood kitchen floor.
I also remember opening up another gift and was so happy to find out that I had a new TOY JUMBO JET!
Oh, I loved that one.
The funny thing is that my brother Abraham had gotten the same identical one. Haha!
But they were fun.

I was not asking for an Ipod Touch.
I was not demanding an Iphone.
I did not desire a laptop computer.

I swear... (forgive me) the next kid that I see at Wal-Mart throwing a tantrum, screaming, demanding that he NEEDS that Wii... Im gonna punch... er, pray for his parents.
Boy, if I ever did that as a kid, my father would have taken off his belt in the store and I would not have felt the seat of my pants for days, man!
I just dont get it.
The world has dratically changed in the last 15 years.

Personally, in my family... It will probably be the Gift Card Christmas this year.
No expensive gadgets, no expensive clothes... just simple, inexpensive gift cards.

Listen, where is Jesus in all your hustle and bustle?
Whereis Jesus when you are standing in line for 30 minutes paying for a gift that maybe the recipient wont even like?

Remember the real reason for Christmas.
These 2-3 weeks of the year, remember the gospel.
Rememner that if Jesus had not been born in a manger your sins and mine would not have been taken away.
Remember that if Jesus had not been born, you and I would not have the hope we have today.

I pray that in my shopping for my gift cards, I can ultimately remember that I am blessed to live this life and that I need more of Him.