Most Americans are still decent kind folks, but it seems only our worst examples make the news or social media. The people Christmas shopping largely seem to be rude and even the products are crude. Shoppers are literally brawling and cursing one another; and there are more than a few games and toys about defecation and flatulence. It’s bad enough too many people lack manners, but now we even offer vulgar games for kids.
It has been incremental, but these are all signs of our coarsening culture. People once were patient and polite because our mother’s expected it, but somewhere in the past couple generations we have let our sense civility and common decency slip away. Grandmothers of yesteryear demanded decorum; grandmothers today are body slamming one another for the Sherpa Fleece Hoodie at Victoria Secret. Is $100 off a flat screen TV or pair of athletic shoes really worth losing your dignity and humanity? Most items can be bought online cheaper, so are we just attracted to the grotesque gladiator nature of Black Friday shopping?
Opening the doors for Black Friday is literally like ringing the bell for untold yuletide rounds, shoppers have no regard for fellow shoppers as they stampede for bargains. Shoppers push, shove, and even trample others; and should a terse word be exchanged or products run out, there could be an actual riot!
How is it possible otherwise civilized and arguably prosperous people are reduced to soulless shopping savages at the mere prospect of a discount? We live in a time of unparalleled plenty but also extraordinary excess. We have more and waste more than ever before, but none of it is enough. Materialism is drowning morality.
But the incredible irony is many Americans actually consider themselves more empathetic and enlightened while they elbow their way to front of the line for the latest smart phone. We are annoyed by slow fast food, dropped cell phone calls, or back ordered items online; so much so, we will contact that company to complain. But are we annoyed enough to act when a child goes hungry? The mentally ill are left homeless? Or Veterans denied benefits are left to suffer in silence?
We will barnstorm our elected officials if our benefits go down or our taxes go up, but do we barnstorm all the volunteer and humanitarian organizations trying to help our fellow man? Too many Americans shirk off charity to the government. They want the government to do their charitable work for them, so they can avoid any personal involvement because we are just too busy binge watching TV or posting on social media.
Americans are still the most generous people on the planet and there are many wonderful volunteers striving selflessly to improve their communities. However, we must recognize the perilous symptoms of a decaying society. Fighting over parking spaces and frenzies over sale bins show we are focused on ourselves. We like to say we care about others, but our ill-mannered behaviors and inaction in charitable endeavors paint an apathetic selfish portrait.
It’s easy to convince ourselves that buying gifts for our loved ones is good enough giving, but it’s really hard to show love to others you may not know or even think deserve love. We want to show compassion for our fellow man, but genuine concern is challenging. It comes easier when someone shows you undeserved love first.
It’s not the bargains, decorations, egg nog, or store bought presents. It is about the greatest gift of all time when God sent his only begotten Son to be among us and show each and every one of us unconditional love proven by His ultimate sacrifice. God knew the cost for His Son, but he was thinking of us when He sent Him.
When we can individually grasp how much was given to each of us, it becomes easier to put others first. Patience, politeness, and true love for others come naturally when we remember the reason for season.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
