Black Friday Debriefing

Have you ever had the irresistible urge to get up at 3:00 a.m. and stand around in a large retail establishment watching people push, shove, scream and act in a manner that they would never want their children to see?  Yeah, me too!
Once again, Black Friday offered all you have come to expect from an event largely driven by a materialistic society that values possessions - irate people grabbing and pushing while the cash registers tally the profits.  As we picked up the paper on Thanksgiving day before heading over the river and through the subdivision, the weight could have crushed a small child.  The flyers were plentiful and we knew that the stores had outdone themselves this year.  With the economy slowly recovering from the  recession, those in power were going to lure people into their stores with visions of large screen televisions and game systems at prices even the Grinch would get out of bed for.
Our Thanksgiving meal was terrific.  The dark meat moist, the stuffing truly terrific and the mashed potatoes made from real spuds.  The dinner company was bright and witty with a few potty training comments thrown in for good measure.  Please remember that we shared the table with a family ranging in age from 60 to 3 years old.  We were quite fortunate not to have the conversation regress further.  After eating almost our body weight in amazing cuisine, we settled down to look at the ads and plan our strategy. 
There were lots of deals to choose from - Nintendo DS for $96, televisions for $246 and many smaller items dirt cheap.  Children's pjs were $3 a pair, which is a blessing considering how quickly the grow.  My youngest nephew decided that everything in every circular was exactly what he wanted for Christmas.  How can you argue with logic like that?!?
After much debate over supper, it was decided that my father and I would zip back to my house to get a change of clothes and sleep on my brother's couches so my sister-in-law, father and I could get as much sleep as possible before heading out at 3:00 a.m.  I admit it was hard to sleep, knowing that the alarm would be taking off early and I was pretty excited. 
Three a.m. came way too early and we stumbled out the door for our respective big box retail outlets. My sister-in-law dropped me at the door to take my place in line and the game was afoot.  We were able to wait inside as our big box store is opened 24 hours a day. We stood in line at electronics and waited for 5 a.m. to come.  As usual, we found our fellow line members to be in a jovial, if slightly dazed mood as we waited.  We were second in line behind a woman who had been there since 11:30 p.m. the night before.  (And you think I'm obsessive!).  As the line got longer, tempers got shorter.  People started to yell at each other and management stepped in immediately.  I was so impressed with how they handled the people in line.  This chain store had had an employee trampled to death in one of their stores down South and they were prepared to deal with disgruntled crowds. Security was called to manage "the line".  Clipboards came out and you knew they meant business.  Line budgers were swiftly sent to the back of the line with stern words and a steely look. 
My father was not so fortunate at his retail location, as one lone teenager was standing in line for ten friends who arrived minutes before the doors opened to take their spots at the front of the line.  Mayhem briefly broke out and as the doors opened, all hints of a line dissolved as it was every man for themselves.  My father came away angry and empty handed.
With our biggest purchase safely tucked in our shopping bags, we made the curcuit through the mall and numerous stops around town.   The clerks were very pleasant and I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with a "Merry Christmas" at a few stores.  That's right -- Christmas is about Christ.  I love it when stores acknowledge that!  The check out lines were well-staffed and we were meeting my brother and the nephews for brunch in record time.  Even the restaurant was speedy and we were fed and out in no time. 
I had a great time shopping with my sister-in-law, buying gifts for my family and friends and getting in on the bargains.  I have more time than money, so I can spare a little sleep to save money.  It's fun to watch people and observe their coping strategies on Black Friday.  I know that several people think I'm crazy for getting up that early to go shopping, but I really do have a blast.
I haven't taken my eye off of what is important as we begin this journey of Advent.  I anticipate this baby-Savior with much excitement and love to hear the prophecy of Emmanuel, God with us.  I also await a day when this Messiah comes back a second time to establish His kingdom.  When my alarm went off this morning, I suggested that perhaps today would be a good day for Jesus to return.  Apparently God's got a better idea -- always!  In the meantime, maybe I infused a couple of people with some calm, Christmas cheer on Black Friday.  Perhaps I provided a good laugh to some tired shoppers as I tried to lug a coffee pot, three towels, two DVDs and a coffee mug across the big box store.  However God chooses to use me, I'm up for the challenge.