Black Friday

This past Friday was perhaps "black" for another reason. As more than two thousand frantic shoppers awaited the opening of the doors at a Wal-Mart in Nassau County, NY, they began to push, shove, and pile against the locked glass sliding doors.

The doors ultimately collapsed, toppling a 34 year old temporary employee, who was pronounced dead shortly afterwards at a local hospital. The crowd stampeded past police officers as they performed CPR, in an attempt to save the unfortunate individual. The Dallas Morning News stated that people were angry when asked to leave the store so medical attention could be given to the injured employee. "Hundreds of people walked past him, over him, or around him," reported Lt. Michael Fleming (Dallas Morning News, November 28, 2008 p.1A).

As men proclaim peace on earth, and good will toward men, this incident seems to reflect anything but that concept. In fact, the word, Christmas is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. And, there is no indication in scripture that we should observe Christ's birthday, at all. When the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, God instructed them not to worship Him according to the pagan religious practices of the surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 12:29-31). For more information about the observance of Christmas, please request our free booklet, The Holy Days – God's Master Plan.

It has often been noted that more violence, depression, and suicides occur at this time of the year than any other. Where is the good will and peace that mankind seeks, and why would such an unthinkable act take place at this store in NY?

The follow-up article in the Dallas Morning News (November 30, 2008, p. 8A), regarding the trampling of a Wal-Mart employee, stated that greed and fear played an integral part in the accident. "Judgment, intelligence, different kinds of value, compassion –these things go out the window," said Danielle Knafo, associate professor of clinical psychology at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, NY.

Mary Kirby-Diaz, a sociology professor at Farmingdale State College, stated that some people become angered by the frustration of being denied a big sale. "If there's desire for something they want very deeply and they don't think they're going to get it, there's anger."

The world is looking for peace and goodwill at this time of year, but they did not find it in Nassau, NY, on Black Friday. However, God tells His people, "If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid" (Leviticus 26:3-6).

Sociologists and psychologists alike will continue to analyze the events of Black Friday and provide their explanations for the occurrence of the tragedy at Wal-Mart. As others continue to ask how such an incident could occur, you can discover the answers to this and all your questions in the publications of the Living Church of God and the Tomorrow's World magazine. There is coming a time of peace and goodwill for all humanity, and you can be a part of it!