The True Origin of Black Friday Began More Than 2000 Years Ago
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. This is considered as, the official beginning of the Christmas shopping season. The name black Friday is a reference to retailers, selling enough merchandise, to get their books-profits-finances out of arrears, and in the black.
Black Friday is said to have originated in Philadelphia, in 1966. At this time however, it was a term with negative connotations. Bus drivers, cab drivers, and police, in the city of brotherly love, were over burdened on this day after Thanksgiving.The extra shoppers in stores, crowded sidewalks, and streets, along with shoplifting, caused pandemonium.
Since that time, Black Friday has evolved into mainstream America. In Roanoke Va., Santa Claus would be lowered from a helicopter onto the roof of the local Sears store, the Friday following Thanksgiving. There would be crowds in the street awaiting Saint Nick’s arrival. And this was the signal, that the Christmas shopping season had officially begun. This practice was discontinued in the late 1970’s.
Today retailers offer ridiculous specials, and low prices on merchandise on Black Friday. Last year, as I drove my husband to work at Toys R Us on Thanksgiving night, there were people standing in line waiting for the 8:00 a,m opening. On CNN today, a man was shown camped out in front of Best Buy, more than a week in advance, so he can be the first to benefit from special Black Friday sales.
Believers in Christ have a deeper meaning for “Black Friday.” According to the bible, more than 2000 years ago, Christ was crucified on a Friday afternoon. He, too was up all night, not seeking to be first for a sale, but being beaten humiliated and awaiting crucifixion.
The bible tells us in Genesis chapters 1-3, of the fall of man. Because Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, mankind was put in the red, in arrears, and in debt to Satan. God however had a plan. Retailers today pull out all the stops, offering their best discounts on the one day of the year, they know they will turn a profit. The Almighty set in motion a 4,000 year plan that offer the best hope for mankind.
Christ was born of the virgin Mary, and 33 years later, on a Friday morning around 9:00 was hanging on a cross. The gospel writers tell us that from noon until 3:00 p.m the sky was black. And in the moment of his death, there was a earthquake.
The bible says 3 days later Christ rose from the dead, thus flipping the script, taking mankind out of arrears. The debt was cancelled, and all who believe are assured of eternity. The day we now know as Good Friday, was actually a black Friday, that put mankind back in right fellowship with the Father.
