The video I posted in yesterday's post is a video that was created by an organization called “Advent Conspiracy.” You can learn more about them here. The word “conspire” basically means “to plan together.” Often, the word “conspire” has a meaning of going against a current regime or resisting a current cultural establishment. That video, and the Advent Conspiracy organization, encourage us to do just that – to challenge the current cultural norm of Christmas consumerism.
I believe that God sent His Son not so we could celebrate His birth by running around in 3 different directions at once, by racking up our credit card bills, by filling our homes with stuff, only to be let down and experience the January blues. I believe that God sent His son to save people and change the world. So, again I ask, How do you think Jesus wants us to remember and celebrate His birth? How can we “do” Advent and Christmas differently? Here are some ideas, inspired by the Advent Conspiracy movement:
WORSHIP FULLY:
• Create a “Jesse Tree” (http://www.ehow.com/how_4620163_jesse-tree-celebrate-advent-children.html) with your family. Have it placed in a prominent area of your home so it can be used as a conversation starter with friends and neighbors
• Invite friends or family to watch the movie “The Nativity Story” with you. Have a discussion afterwards about your favorite/least favorite parts and/or what you might do/how you would feel if you were “x” character.
SPEND LESS:
• Craft, bake, walk, play games, build a pillow & blanket fort with your kiddos… :)
• Read! Check out the same book as a friend and read the book together over the course of a month. Schedule times to discuss the portions of the book you’ve read.
• Sanity Saver! (Give to a neighbor with young children & a deployed spouse) “This coupon entitles you to 2 hours free babysitting!”
• Date night (in!) “This coupon entitles you to a homemade dinner of your choice & movie of your choice!”
• Game night! “This coupon entitles you to choose the board/card game of your choice for family game night!”
• If you do end up giving gifts that cost less & if you happen to have “extra” cash in your budget at the end of the Christmas shopping season, consider giving to a local charity or local church.
GIVE MORE/LOVE ALL:
• Know a soccer or basketball lover? For $16 you can give 2 soccer or basketballs in that person’s name through World Vision’s Gift Catalog. www.worldvision.org
• Is a person you’re going to give a present to passionate about a cause? Give financially, in your friend’s name, to their favorite charity or cause.
• Know a teacher or student? Donate $32 on behalf of that person and World Vision will be able to provide education for 1 child. www.worldvision.org
• Looking for beautiful jewelry or journals to give to friends or family that is made by people in Haiti? www.apparentproject.org
• Help fund/build fresh water wells for those in need: http://www.water.cc/
Our church, “Mosaic,” in Portland, OR has a great webpage with ideas on how you can give differently this year. See those ideas here.
I know that sometimes relational gifts can be just as, if not more expensive that just the regular gift card or boring old sweater. What I am challenging myself, and maybe you to consider when shopping, is; “Is this gift relational? Will this gift contribute to building a stronger relationship with this person or is it just a gift out of obligation?"
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