Today we enter a period of gluttony, greed and general giddiness called the Holiday Season.
It all starts with the uniquely American holiday of Thanksgiving, a day of gratitude to a providential God, celebrated with a disgusting display of gluttony and sloth worthy of the Roman emperors. This nearly religious experience is followed immediately by Black Friday, the day when many retailers see their annual ledger balances switch from red to black. From Black Friday to New Year's Day extends a period where greed, pride, envy and gluttony run rampant, driving an orgy of conspicuous consumption. There is even a good dose of wrath for many, and a bit of lust for some, thrown into the mix. It is the essence of the American Way laid bare, and I believe that God sees that it is good.
Wait. Why would I say that God would approve of more than a month of indulgence in the Seven Deadly Sins? Because, beneath the surface, each of these sins is indulged in order to serve the holy virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
On Thanksgiving Day we actually do recall that we have much for which to be thankful. The ridiculously overdone feast followed by the long period of immobility in front of the television to which we treat ourselves is a reminder of the bountiful blessings that we receive throughout the year. It is an expression of faith and hope that those blessings will continue to grow and spread to everyone. Trust me, God approves of this sort of thing.
Starting on Black Friday we sally forth to shop, not for personal needs or wants, but for gifts for friends and family. Sure, we look for bargains, but the point is to find things that will bring a light of joy to the face of the recipient when it is unwrapped on Christmas morning. We buy things we do not need, and sometimes cannot use, to give to those who would enjoy them. This is part of the very essence of charity.
We Americans do not limit our giving to those close to us, either. Oh, no. The Holiday Season is also a time when the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other charities receive the majority of their donations. People who ordinarily could not spare a dime from their budget have a sudden urge to drop their change into the bucket outside the store. People who worry about stretching their dollars to cover food, fuel and clothing for their own families impulsively buy toys for children they never knew, or food and clothing for people they will never meet. The cost is often not counted, and no repayment is ever asked. In most cases, the donations are anonymous, and the donor will never even be thanked, but the generosity flows unabated year after year. This pleases the Almighty greatly.
We are talking about a nation of 450 million souls, so there will certainly be a few who think only of themselves. They are mere aberrations, and can do nothing to invalidate the generosity of the people as a whole. There will also be people whose contribution consists of husbanding their own resources so they can continue to provide for themselves without resorting to the supplies that should go to those in greater need. These people are neither selfish nor heartless, they are prudent, diligent and just. There are indications that Heaven favors these above all others.
Oh, yes, we are entering a season when Americans indulge in a disgusting display of excessive wealth. Many will condemn us for it. Let them condemn. I know, and God knows, that the excesses of commercialism and celebration are committed in order to commit even greater excesses of faith, hope and charity. Nobody will praise us for these acts of virtue, but real virtue does not depend upon the approval of fools. We know, and God knows, and He sees that it is good.