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by Georgie Márquez-André February 21, 2005
COMMEMORATION, n. The act of calling to remembrance, by some solemnity; the act of honoring the memory of some person or event, by solemn celebration. CELEBRATION, n. Praise; renown; honor or distinction bestowed, whether by songs, eulogies, or rites and ceremonies. Ok, I am a firm believe in the free market system... and a staunch capitalist. But, do we have to turn every celebration into an excuse to go shopping?
For the sake of disclosure I must admit that I am not particulary fond of shopping. For me it is one of those unavoidable facts of life. But I do try to avoid it as much as possible. So, yes, I am biased against shopping from the get go... but mind you, I am not against it; and I do love a healthy economy.
My main concern, however, is with the sad fact that every commemoration has now become a sales event. From the obsession with gifts at Christmas, to the candy orgy at Easter, chocolate and jewelry at St. Valentines. And then there are the more generic sales events, like your ordinary car/furniture/clothes specials during Veteran's and President's Day.
So we forget the meaning behind the day. Rather than going to the parade, we go to the mall. Forgoing the traditional ceremonies, the rites, more and more we simply go on with our lives... working, doing chores, store-hopping. We all do it. I am not suggesting that we put our lives on hold for some special event Congress has deemed worthy of celebrating. But maybe we should all try to at least spend some time meditating on the worth, the impact, the reason we are called to remember this particular person, group, event...
Going back to what seems to be a recurring theme here... history does have a place, and it is up to each of us to give it the place, the value, the worth studying and learning about it deserves.
Next time a holiday creeps up on you, do a little research, and if you have children, let them participate, and then, if you must, you may go shopping.
Have a blessed week.
All definitions taken from Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary. Sign up now for Georgie Márquez André's Motivation of the Week e-zine. Receive inspirational thoughts, Bible studies, fitness tips and just general motivation to grow in body, mind, and spirit in your email box weekly. Yours FREE!! Here is a sample of the motivational messages you'll receive:
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