November 22, 2008 11:06 pm
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Christmas is a few weeks away. Seasonal displays — tinsel, wreaths, trees, etc. — are up in some retail outlets.
Make no mistake: The Goshen News is a fan of Christmas. The trouble is, we haven’t celebrated Thanksgiving yet. We fret that a perfectly fine holiday in its own right may not be getting its due.
The complaint that Christmas has gotten “too commercial” is familiar, but the observation isn’t off-base.
Feelings of goodwill and inclinations toward charity are still evident during the holiday season. So, too, is the push to spend money on non-essentials. The Christian tradition, we feel, has more going for it than consumerism.
Thanksgiving is a calm before the Christmas storm. Shoppers don’t drive themselves batty selecting the perfect turkey. No one heads to the mall the day after to exchange the dressing.
But Thanksgiving (not “turkey day,” please) is much more than the starting gate on the track of Christmas hoopla. It’s a day to gather with family and friends. It’s a time to reflect on the good things in our lives. Thanksgiving helps us put our burdens in perspective. We need it.
Dec. 25 will be here shortly. Thanksgiving arrives sooner still. Be thankful.
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