First Tuesday in Advent

Today is the first Tuesday in Advent. It is the first week of Advent for that matter, but today has me a little confused about the season and the world we live. This Tuesday has been given a special meaning, Giving Tuesday. It is this new concept for this Tuesday that has gotten me thinking. Not just this, but also a post I read last week about statements made by Pope Francis. 

Last week a report came out stating that the Pope was calling Christmas a charade this year. Now, I must admit that I cannot find the first article I read this in and thus I am not linking to that article. This article from the Rolling Stone is similar to the original article. The main difference is less bashing of the Roman Catholic tradition that I found in the original post.  

I will admit that I had not given much thought to the article till Sunday rolled around. We had a discussion in Sunday School about the topic of the Pope's remarks. Most people disagreed with the Pope, as many have. The others in the conversation said that Christmas is real this year especially because of the events going on. We need the hope and light that Christ has brought into the world just to maintain a personal if not global hope for the future. I agree. We need the hope Christ brings. But, I also disagree.

My disagreement is not because of the wars, killings, terror attacks, death, homelessness gone rampant, hunger, refugees lost in politics, or any other society problem. I think Christmas (especially in the west) is a charade. It is exactly because of what we have made this Tuesday into why I believe. The Friday after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. A day of spending all we have to get the right gifts for our loved ones. Then, if we have not spent enough, Monday is Cyber deals for all those items we want to get shipped to us online. So, the majority of time after a holiday of giving thanks for what hs been provided is all about getting more stuff. So, a few smart people in the Non-profit world came up with a social media idea of #GivingTuesday. We take this day aside in the busy season to give a little something to the needy or a Non-profit. We give back. Isn't Christmas about giving to others already?

If we need to be reminded to give back on a special day with a hashtag, then Christmas is a charade. I hope that I can find a way to dig through the mess of the glitter and glitz to find the gifts given to me through Jesus and offer them graciously to others. I hope I can find a little of real meaning of Christmas.

Thoughts on Current Events

Now I will admit that I do not comment on current events life politics, society and pop culture in public arenas often. I will discuss politics and pop culture with members of the church or friends. Yet, I think this is a time in the culture where more people speaking out against current situations may just bring light to a real problem. I believe the problem became relevant in recent days.

For the past week, the media has had a all on blitz to mourn the death of Micheal Jackson. My condolence is extended to the family and friends of Micheal as they attempt to figure out brought the end of his life. What I cannot understand is the media and the people's fascination with him. There have been interview after interview. Networks took entire programing time to show the memorial service. People flew from far reaching places just to be in Los Angels for the service. The came without regard to expense of debit accumulated. Yet in this fire storm of activity, real stories of problems and heroes have went unreported or under reported.

The President meet with leaders from Russia this past week. This would typically hold center stage on national television news reports. But not this week. The G-8 summit is opening in Italy. This was a side report on national news. These are important issues that will greatly affect the people of the United States and the world. What we we worried about most? The death of pop idol.

I feel like we have lost track of what is important in life. People are losing jobs, communities are not able to provide basic services and there does not seem to be a change in the near future. Yet, we are spending precious resources on police protection for memorials and worried about what brought about the death of a singer. Many more people have died this past week. People who have served and loved others as much if not more than reported about Micheal Jackson. Yet, there names will never be on national t.v. they will never have a police escort to the funeral. They have slipped away only to leave there mark in a much different way. They will have touched the lives of people who will carry on that same love and attention they gave.

Please, if you are reading this, take a moment and remember someone who will not be in the media's eye. Remember what they taught you and just how you can pass that on to someone else. Also, remember that it is not how we leave this earth that is most important, neither is what possessions or monuments we leave. The most important legacy we can leave is the care and compassion of others. Then we will really leave a mark on the world bigger than any celebrity.