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By DANNY MINTON

On November 24, 2023, the year’s official “Black Friday” took place. Of course, it’s been going on for a few weeks, but the most extensive sales occurred that day and will continue for a few more Fridays. Traffic becomes thick, people crowd the stores, tempers flare, and dollars are spent on discounted items. 

Have you ever considered where the term “Black Friday” originated? There are several stories and myths of the origin of “Black Friday.” The term was supposedly first used in 1869 and the cause of the stock market crash. At the center was Jay Gould, director of the Erie Railroad. When Cornelius Vanderbilt was trying to take control of the railroad, Gould, Daniel Drew, and James Fisk issued fraudulent stock and bribed members of Congress to make it legal to sell the stocks. To make it more financially profitable, Gould and Fisk joined forces with William Tweed and Peter Sweeny to profit from the stock speculations. The four began buying up gold in an attempt to corner the market. Failure came when the stock rose to $163, and the government flooded the market with several million in gold, causing the price to drop to $133. The result was a panic in the market, ruining several investors.

Another story takes place in 1950s Philadelphia. The Army-Navy football game resulted in a massive crowd coming to Philadelphia. With thousands of shoppers, the police were required to work overtime, and shops were easy prey for shoplifters who took advantage of the masses of shoppers. It became a dreaded day for local law enforcement. Later, Philadelphia tried to call the day “Big Friday” to rid themselves of the negative publicity. The tactic worked for a while, but by the 1980s, “Black Friday” became popular again. 

The current meaning has a more financial tone. It is the day many businesses operating in the red expect to move into the black. It is the day that profits are expected to soar. In any instance, Black Friday is both a day of stress and of hope for better things, whether a shopper or storekeeper.   

Another “Black Friday” took place hundreds of years before any of these scenarios. While it was not about finances, it was a day that brought both stress and hope. The day started in the early hours as Jesus was tried, beaten, and forced to carry His cross to the hill of Golgotha. His mangled body would be nailed to the cross, hung where everyone could view the hours of agony ahead. There would be jeers, curses, and negative comments from those who had earlier yelled, “Crucify Him!” At noon, darkness covered the whole land for the next three hours. It was a “Black Friday,” both physically and spiritually. Toward the end of the day, He would make His final comments, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” However, the darkness of Friday was the beginning of a light of hope. On Sunday, the darkness of the past would be replaced with the light of life through the resurrection of the Savior. 

In this season of the year, Christmas also has a form of “Black Friday.” The light of the birth of Jesus brought joy and hope to the world. The darkness, however, raised its head as Herod had several young boys murdered in his attempt to blot out the light. We learn in Jesus’ birth and death that darkness cannot exist where Jesus is present. 

Perhaps the most significant symbol of light during darkness came in the night sky the evening Jesus was born. The star’s light brought shepherds, wise men, and humanity together in the night sky’s darkness. As you go through the Christmas season, take time to be light in a world full of “Black Friday” darkness. Be a light in the darkness of those who have lost loved ones. Be a light to those who are less fortunate. Be a light by sharing with others. Be a light by helping someone going through a tough time. Be a light to those having a stressful day. Be a light to friends, family, and strangers. Let the light of Jesus brighten your day and the day of those you meet.

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ