While lolling on the sofa in a turkey and pumpkin pie induced stupor, my thoughts turned to Black Friday.

Most of us are aware that Black Friday is called that because it is traditionally the date when merchants were finally in the black, financially. It was the semi-official start to the Christmas Shopping Season. In recent years, the chaotic stampedes to be first through the door to get the latest deal have given the name a darker meaning.

In order to try to avoid having their eager customers trampled to death, stores began opening earlier and earlier until now, many of the sales begin on Thanksgiving Day itself, turning a day meant to be spent with family and friends giving thanks for what we already have, into just another shopping spree. Black Friday, indeed.

Another notable Friday that many wonder about is Good Friday, when Christians remember Christ’s brutal crucifixion. People sometimes ask why this day should be called “good” when it is all about death. Shouldn’t this day be called something more like Black Friday, instead?

Unlike Black Friday, a day based on materialism, Good Friday is the day of our spiritual salvation. Without Christ’s sacrifice on that day, there would have been no Resurrection. The process which begins with Christmas is fulfilled on Easter.

Although many disregard the spiritual meaning of the holiday, the Christmas shopping frenzy beginning on Black Friday wouldn’t even exist without the blessing of Good Friday.

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” 

2 Cor. 9:15