We can almost cut short the irony of hearing Bing Crosby singing “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” on the radio when it's sixty degrees and the first frosts of Winter is still a few weeks away. . As citizens of the United States these days, people are probably all too accustomed to this typical rush between major festivities. It's all about generating maximum revenue for big businesses as frantic shoppers try to relieve their stress with hours and hours of incessant shopping; Today the important question arises in our society as to whether or not this miserly behavior reflects a total loss of understanding of what the true meaning of the season represents. In my opinion, some of the most important holidays, especially Christmas as mentioned above, have lost their original value, becoming nothing more than a commercial attempt to expand materialism, a direct result of America's blackened sentiment . This year, shopping casts aside traditional ideas of mutual respect and putting others first, with swiping the credit card being the most meaningful action that can be demonstrated. A few years ago, at a Long Island Wal-Mart on Black Friday, an employee was killed by a crowd of frenzied shoppers while four others, including a woman eight months pregnant, were injured (" A worker dies). I hate the idea that something with monetary value deserves to inflict bodily harm or, more seriously, death. A famous verse from the Gospel of Matthew states that “we must love our neighbor as ourselves.” Yet in the 21st century we seem to flood our minds with nothing but our own selfish plans.... middle of paper ......ld, Joe. "Employee dies at Long Island Wal-Mart after being trampled during Black Friday stampede - New York Daily News." Featured articles from the New York Daily News. New York Daily News, November 29, 2008. Web. September 26, 2011. .Too much, Jaclyn. "Business | Kmart, Sears and Home Depot have holiday displays up early | The Detroit News." Detroit News Sunday October 9, 2011 | News, sports, features, blogs, photos and forums from Detroit and Michigan. The Detroit News, October 1, 2011. Web. September 26, 2011. .Walmart. Advertisement. Youtube. Youtube, November 28, 2009. Web. September 29. 2011. .