It wasn't the right size, the right color. It just wasn't what I wanted. It was a duplicate gift. All these are reasons why people are returning Christmas gifts. Tis the Season...
We've been told for years that "Black Friday" (the day after Thanksgiving) is the busiest and most prolific shopping day of the year.. But while "Black Friday" holds that reputation, data in this decade indicates that the days immediately prior to Christmas hold the distinction of most prolific shopping days (the days when retail sales spike for the holiday season).
And of course we've heard that the day after Christmas is the busiest day for returns of many Christmas gifts. Which begs the question: What really happens the day after Christmas?
Now that we've remembered and observed Jesus, do we exchange Him for a different life and perspective for the rest of our year? Is baby Jesus neatly packed away with the nativity scene, to be reinstated in the home decor next holiday? Do we take down the "light of the world" with the Christmas lights? In short, now that we've celebrated and commemorated the Advent, do we add events back into our lives more suitable to our taste and decor?
Or, maybe, just maybe, Christmas stirred something inside us...something of a more eternal nature. Maybe somewhere amid the presents, we discovered the Gift, and it changed us. And when we did, the words jumped off the page and their truth transformed our hearts.
If so, you're in very good company. That happened the first Christmas: And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. (Luke 2:20 nas)
Here's a gift that need not be returned the day after.
