In The Black

Did you find any great Black Friday deals? Retailers certainly hope you did! For many of them, this is the "make or break" day in their fiscal year. It accounts for up to 30 percent of sales and 50 percent of profits. It actually pays for the rest of the year for them. I guess that's why you see items for sale that you usually don't associate with Christ. Liquor and lingerie. Jerky and Jacuzzis. Armoires and ammunition. To be fair, you can't really blame the retailers. They are just selling what they sell and trying to take advantage of the seasonal shopping frenzy.
Black is actually not one of the colors I usually associate with Christmas. Biblically and historically, it is generally more associated with famine, disease, and death. Red, green, and white are more likely to put me in a holiday mood, but for those making their living during this season - getting "in the black" financially - they may be ready to remake Bing Crosby's greatest hit to fit THEIR "dreams". Great cash-flow, empty shelves, debts paid. Which brings us to our point.
As a pastor, I often encourage people to "Put Christ Back in Christmas", and I don't really mean putting a baby doll in manger scene. I mean getting a grip on why we celebrate His birth. No doubt there were millions of babies born that night, but only one we really remember, and not mainly for the circumstances of His birth. We remember Him because of a very black Friday, the blackest in all history:
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
"It is finished." Three English words, one Greek word: "Tetelestai". It's root carries the meanings "ended, completed, perfected", but it had a commercial application. Suppose you made a deal in the marketplace. "Give me 20 jars of oil today, and next month I'll pay you for 25." The dealer writes down the particulars, you sign it, and take your oil home. Next month comes around and you show up with the cash, the dealer pulls out the bill, you pay up, and he writes one word across the bill: "Tetelestai". We need three English words here, too: "Paid in Full".
On that Blackest Friday, out debt was fully paid. He who knew no sin became sin for us, took on Himself our just punishment, and wrote "Paid In Full" across our ledger of sin-debt. For all who call on Him, He puts "In The Black" forever. As for me? This year I'll be "dreaming" of a NEW Christmas color.

I'm dreaming of a Black Christmas
Because my sins are washed away
And the debt that I owed, Christ paid so I'd go
To live with Him in Heaven some day! (to the tune of "White Christmas")

And if you're not In The Black spiritually, it's time to get your debt paid!
For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23