If the last two years have taught us anything, it is that the habits and conveniences we had previously treasured can become inaccessible at a moment’s notice, due to outside forces. As the Christmas season approaches, stores and manufacturers all across the country are experiencing extreme shortages, the likes of which have not been seen since March of 2020 when COVID-19 halted production, shipping and consumer spending. The supply chain backlog has been growing ever since.
While consumers have been able to safely shop in stores for about a year, now they are finding many of their favorite items are completely out of stock or no longer sold, even though the products are still being manufactured. These products are mostly all sitting in shipping containers in Long Beach, California. Most researchers account for a lack of drivers to move the shipping containers across the country, resulting in immovable containers in the unloading docks, preventing other containers from being unloaded from the boats at all. During an interview on 60 Minutes on Nov. 14, truckers and warehouse managers blamed the booking systems that only allow certain types and colors of containers to be unloaded on certain days.
America imports exponentially more than it exports. We import an estimated $617 billion more than we export, according to the Balance, an independent finance researcher. We are heavily reliant on other country’s products, and there is no time more obvious during the year than at Christmas time.
The White House has created supply chain task force to figure out how to end the backlog and move goods more quickly. However, the backlog is unprecedented and there has yet to be a diagnosis or a cure. Americans are likely to find that many of the gifts they were planning to buy ahead of Christmas will not be available. Some have labeled President Biden as “the Grinch who stole Christmas.”
Perhaps what we need this Christmas more than gifts is to remember what the season is really about. We give gifts during Christmas as a reflection of the good gift that God gave to us by sending his Son, Jesus, to earth. We all love the notion of an idealistic Christmas with a huge glimmering tree and tons of gifts and a table full of warm food. This year might be different, but it is not a bad thing. It is a chance to be surrounded by family and make the most out of a little.
We at The Threefold Advocate will be doing our best to appreciate what we have been blessed with this season. Even though it may not be ideal or even the Christmas season we were hoping for after two long years. We wish you and your families the warmest season and the chance to make great memories.
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