“Not Being Thankful” & Going Straight To Christmas | Don’t Let This Divide You

I’ve been seeing some concerns and some complaints about people getting upset with others who appear to “jump right into Christmas,” and not have time for “being thankful.” Today’s post is directed at my American readers.

The main idea is people who seem excited for Christmas in October or November, or even before, seem to appear to “skip” Thanksgiving. It appears as if people who are excited for Christmas are not giving thanks. It’s a bandwagon idea many people jump onto and rant about, but they are not really thinking about those who are watching. There are also those who are not complaining, but show genuine concern about Thanksgiving, and I hope today’s post is helpful.

Why Do Stores Begin Christmas Prep Early?

Some of the sentiment relates to stores. It was pointed out to me, and I’m grateful for the comment, that perhaps people are frustrated regarding the stores pushing Christmas over Thanksgiving. I would like to add a little perspective for why this tends to happen. Note: More recently, some stores will begin to decorate for other holidays, like Halloween, a couple months ahead, too.

For retail stores, it is much easier to give customers a longer period of time to get Christmas items. Families that are saving, this allows them more time. Also, crafters need time to make their products ahead of the season. So, crafters often are working on Christmas items in the summer. They have to be ready for events coming up in the fall and winter.

What about those who are generally bothered by the people who are excited about Christmas in October or even July. You might be familiar with the memes people post on social media. The jokes that get made. The frustration people have at Christmas lights during October. I would like to cover some things to think over. Maybe you are not serious about it and what people choose to do, but it seems like a number of people are greatly bothered by those who appear to “skip” Thanksgiving.

Our View On Thanksgiving & Personal Conviction

Multiple social media platforms infer those preparing for Christmas early are not being thankful and people should be thankful. This comes from statuses, rants, complaints, concerns, and memes. It’s multiple people and a number of Christians have also spoken out.

Consider how this talk affects believers weaker in the faith. When we say things like people are skipping Thanksgiving and they need to thankful, is it edifying? Is the meaning behind our words clear? It sounds like an assumption is being made here.

Honestly, I think this might be a personal conviction. I think being upset over people who jump into Christmas could lead to unrighteous judgment and division. If people want to celebrate the month of November a particular way, then they absolutely can. If people want to celebrate the joy of Christmas, focusing on Christ, for more than a month, why not?

(ESV) Romans 14:05, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”

(ESV) Romans 14:06, “The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.”

Everything we do, we are to do unto the Lord. Does it really matter if people celebrate Thanksgiving or not, no. Does it matter people care more for Christmas than Thanksgiving, no. It’s a personal conviction.

We need to be careful not to assume those who celebrate Christmas early or are excited about Christmas are not being thankful in the process, as Thanksgiving approaches.

In fact, I could easily make the assumption, “Well, if you are focused on the month of November for being thankful, then I suppose you’re not thankful all the year through?” I’m sure this is not the case. But I hope you see my point.

Maybe you are not assuming this about others. Maybe you’re just bothered that stores have Santas in October. 🤣 That’s okay. But do other people understand?

The Goal Of Everything We Focus On Needs To Relate To Jesus

The reality is no one can be truly thankful for the Lord and what He has provided, if they do not know Him. We only know Him through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Christmas story begins explaining how God became the God-Man. How the Son became obedient, even to death. Jesus paid off our sin on the cross, taking the wrath of God in our stead, and He resurrected. For all who put their faith in Him, see the need of the Savior for their sin, and seek His forgiveness, they are a new creation in Christ and justified by His blood. There’s so much to be thankful for.

Secular stores do not care about the Gospel. Sinners do not know the truth of why they give thanks. We cannot expect people to do something they are blind to. We are not hidden to the reality we live in because scripture tells us.

In my personal opinion, we do not need to be focused on what America is doing regarding Thanksgiving and how people are or are not preparing for the holidays. There are people around the world who give thanks to idols, they do not know Christ. JESUS is Who we need to be focusing on, whether or not people prepare for Thanksgiving in a way we desire.

Desiring we all become more thankful is a wonderful desire. Thankfulness can bring productive and edifying discussions. We need to be careful, however, that personal conviction does not cause unneeded division and distraction from Christ and the Gospel. Let’s be more focused on Christ than on people doing non-sinful things.

Do Not Let Personal Conviction Become Slander Of Others

Since we cannot discern the hearts of others, unless we have legit evidence, I think we need to be careful about making statements that do sound judgmental and create assumptions purely over someone’s excitement about Christmas.

Be careful with wording on social media, and try to define what you mean when you post. People can make false assumptions about what we say based on lack of clarity. Goodness, even with clarity, people can still misunderstand, but at least we tried. 😅

It’s not a sin for someone to put more focus on one celebration over another. There’s no scripture in the New Testament that says this. Yet, we all could be more thankful throughout the year. I do appreciate the concern people are showing, regarding the desire to be thankful. Just be careful of wording and what isn’t being said, but what might be implied. 🙂

Please do not let personal convictions over how you think the month of November should be spent divide you among the body of Christ.

Please do not think less of others or make assumptions about potential sin you think they are committing without evidence, least you fall into slander.

Absolutely, be thankful though. 🙂

Scripture To Memorize/Meditate On – (ESV) Romans 5:08, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

*To learn more about what Jesus did on the cross and why His atonement sacrifice is so needed please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?) 
*If you do not know the Gospel, do not turn away. If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?

Community Prayer – Community Prayer – November ’21

Christian Topics/Series Covered
Believer Handbook
Personal Blog: Peeking Beneath
Blog For Christian Women: UnAshamed Christian Housewife
Godly Men & Women I Recommend: Link To List
Resources For False Teaching: Recommended Websites For False Teachers/Teaching 
Video Playlist: Christian Questions, Topics, False Teachers, Insights 
Video Playlist: New Christian Believer 
Video Playlist: Understanding False Teachings
Video Playlist: Sermons To Grow From

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