To Decorate or Not To Decorate - that is the question

I've been struggling with the Nordstrom's announcement since I first read it. On the surface it sounds reasonable, even commendable but something just didn't feel right about it. I understand my views are somewhat tainted in that I LOVE CHRISTMAS and all the bells and whistles that go along with it, but it was a nagging that went deeper than that.

I am going to look at this from 2 different directions.....the company standpoint and the personal standpoint. First the company - if they wait until after Thanksgiving they will most certainly miss sales - a noble gesture some might say but what about the people that want to buy things in advance to be able to decorate the day after Thanksgiving. Some people get nauseous just thinking about going out into the throngs of crazy -yes, I said it - people on the busiest shopping day of the year. Some like to have all their supplies and sip eggnog, listen to some Christmas tunes and decorate at a leisurely pace, not pile in the car and have to fight for a parking space with the mom that has been up since 4am and hopped up on caffeine and donuts. She's on a mission, that widget is half price and it's on junior's list.....she is a force to be reckoned with for sure!

The other viewpoint is that similar to my personal belief- that what exactly is Thanksgiving? OK, obviously it's a time to gather and give thanks for what we have been given. I would venture to say that most Christians in this country top our list with freedom, family and forgiveness.  Freedom to gather and give thanks and freedom to decide when to decorate and prepare. Family to join together and celebrate both at Thanksgiving and Christmas and be reminded of the love by which we are surrounded. And lastly..forgiveness - and what greater example of that then the love and forgiveness shown in the life and death of Jesus? So really, Thanksgiving truly points to Christmas.....why do we think they should be separate? Thanksgiving should just be the start of the season to be thankful for all we have been afforded, and if we would examine our lives further, Thanksgiving and Christmas should be reflected in us daily not just the two days on the calendar.

So Nordstrom's you can wait if you want but this girl is going to put up my decorations and if we eat turkey and cranberry sauce with Christmas music playing and a bazillion snowmen looking on, then so be it.