Now that Thanksgiving has passed, and the turkey is only half eaten, the media is already playing “Silent Night”, and “Here Comes Santa Clause” in the background of the glut of advertisements for Christmas. They could hardly wait for Thanksgiving to be done and buried.

And they are milking the dry old cow for all she is worth. Forget Christ. Forget hard times. They seem to be saying, “Can’t we just squeeze a little more sentimentality and tradition out of you folks, just enough to give us a rip-snortin’ sales month? 

And us? What about us? It feels like we are on a moving conveyor belt, and it’s moving very fast. I say, don’t panic, and let’s keep our heads! 

Christmas movies like “Polar Express” and “Elf” are priming us and our kids to focus on Christmas. We, in turn, are beginning to focus our energy and buying on Christmas, thinking that maybe, just maybe, we can make it happen. 

And here we go!

Remember Black Friday, the sale of sales on Thanksgiving night? Now, Gray Thursday is the new kid on the block. Stores opened on Gray Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) to enable the big box stores to get the jump on the profits over the holiday weekend.

Hurry, hurry. Step right up! Do I have a trick for you folks! Come in and look around. Nativities, toys, holly, and tree lights, all made in,  you guessed it! China!! Come in! Buy on credit. Have a Christmas you will never forget!  Bla, bla, bla.

This is big harvest time for these businesses. But use some wisdom and recognize the big business agenda. First, there are not really any bargains, and the Christmas songs are not really “Christmas.” The purposes of the ads and the promotions are singular. They want our money ... M-O-N-E-Y. The entire world is on sale. 

Since these ads are the fishing lures and we are the fish, what is our approach as we go into this season. 

First, remember Christ. Honor him. Read the Christmas story and read it to the children. Don’t let them forget whose birthday we celebrate. Keep Christ in Christmas.

Then have fun. But don’t base your Christmas vision on what you see on television ads. These ads are not reality. Beautiful people, beautiful homes, beautiful clothes on beautiful bodies in a beautifully decorated environment, all giving beautiful and expensive gifts. 

Keep your perspective. Turn your attention to our local businesses. 

Buy local! Our towns, our neighbors, and  our local merchants have creative ideas and plenty of merchandise. Shop our locals first. They are hometown. Then, take the time to enjoy decorating, baking, and entertaining friends (at a six-foot distance of course)

Take time to think and pray. You might see some needs around you.

“The generous person will prosper, and whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed,” Proverbs 11:25 tells us. Notice who might need some cheer during this season. Maybe groceries. Maybe toys for the kids. Take part in local “giving” drives and toy drives. Think of others. Visit the lonely. Give of yourself. Watch. That cow never runs dry.

That is how Christmas looks. 

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached atjuditabler@gmail.com .