Subversive Christmas-1st Post
As we get closer and closer to Christmas, the commercial's take more and more TV time. All promising something they can't deliver...true hope, true joy, true faith, and true life. They can only promise debt, temporary joy, and the fact that what was bought this year will eventually be replaced by the latest model, or a newer outfit, or sitting in the basement gathering dust.
I have been doing a lot of thinking about Christmas and love what is being done through the Advent Conspiracy website and movement. I wrote about it in my last church newsletter. So I thought I would include that here in this space.
It’s that time of year again. When the mall parking lots will fill up with people looking for that perfect gift. When you get something for someone who has got everything they need. I have been wondering lately if there isn’t a better way to celebrate Advent and Christmas this year. I have become aware of an idea that I believe helps us as Christ follower celebrate Christmas in a much more holistic, Christ-honoring, and world changing way. It is called Advent Conspiracy. The four parts to the Advent Conspiracy are: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. This is what their website (www.adventconspiracy.org) says about these four parts.
Worship Fully: It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.
Spend Less: Before you think we’re getting all Scrooge on you, let us explain what we mean. We like gifts. Our kids really like gifts. But consider this: America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas. How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.
Give More: God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it’s no wonder why we’re drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found at the mall. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Time to make love visible through relational giving. Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?
Love All: When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When Advent Conspiracy first began four churches challenged this simple concept to its congregations. The result raised more than a half million dollars to aid those in need. One less gift. One unbelievable present in the name of Christ.
May we as Christ followers this Christmas season live out this Advent Conspiracy. May we worship Christ more fully this Christmas Season. May we spend less. May we give more and may we love all. May this Christmas season be about the best present ever…Jesus and giving that present to others through acts of love, social justice, evangelism, and our time. Christmas can (still) change the world.
I will post another article that I "wrote" (using the book Lost Message of Jesus by Steve Chalke) about the subversive message of Christmas tomorrow.
I have been doing a lot of thinking about Christmas and love what is being done through the Advent Conspiracy website and movement. I wrote about it in my last church newsletter. So I thought I would include that here in this space.
It’s that time of year again. When the mall parking lots will fill up with people looking for that perfect gift. When you get something for someone who has got everything they need. I have been wondering lately if there isn’t a better way to celebrate Advent and Christmas this year. I have become aware of an idea that I believe helps us as Christ follower celebrate Christmas in a much more holistic, Christ-honoring, and world changing way. It is called Advent Conspiracy. The four parts to the Advent Conspiracy are: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. This is what their website (www.adventconspiracy.org) says about these four parts.
Worship Fully: It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.
Spend Less: Before you think we’re getting all Scrooge on you, let us explain what we mean. We like gifts. Our kids really like gifts. But consider this: America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas. How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.
Give More: God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it’s no wonder why we’re drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found at the mall. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Time to make love visible through relational giving. Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?
Love All: When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When Advent Conspiracy first began four churches challenged this simple concept to its congregations. The result raised more than a half million dollars to aid those in need. One less gift. One unbelievable present in the name of Christ.
May we as Christ followers this Christmas season live out this Advent Conspiracy. May we worship Christ more fully this Christmas Season. May we spend less. May we give more and may we love all. May this Christmas season be about the best present ever…Jesus and giving that present to others through acts of love, social justice, evangelism, and our time. Christmas can (still) change the world.
I will post another article that I "wrote" (using the book Lost Message of Jesus by Steve Chalke) about the subversive message of Christmas tomorrow.
posted by Ryan at 2:46 PM
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