Thoughts on Advent

From a friend of a friend (thanks, Steve Flower!), I recently learned of the "Advent Conspiracy" (AC), which encourages churches to give at Christmas by being creative and blessing those in need by giving relationally as God gave his son to us at Christmas. No money goes to or through the organization. Everyone decides where and how they will give to those in need.

Following are bits of what I gleaned from a video the organization has created. I invite you to visit their website and to watch the video and learn more: http://www.adventconspiracy.org.

"Everyone wants Christmas to be meaningful. But, instead it becomes shop, shop, shop; credit cards; traffic jams; to do lists; useless gifts. Then off to church. Noel, Noel, Noel. Sometimes we're just glad to survive it. Did you know Americans spend $450 billion on Christmas every year. Every year. So we ask: How did Jesus celebrate?

"Jesus gave himself: relationally, incarnation, time, space, presence. Do you see where this is going? What if you bought fewer gifts? That sweater she won't like. That random gift certificate. That toy he doesn't need. And then, instead of buying that gift, give something valuable, like your time. Talk. Eat. Bake. Bike. Read. Play. Create. Craft. Together. Make gifts (like when you were a kid). And remember that money you didn't spend? What if you gave some of it away to the poor, the hurting, the lonely, the hungry, the sick, the thirsty....

"Let's face it, consumerism does not equal happiness, memories, meaning. Spend less on gifts. Give more presence. Love like Jesus....Worship fully....Give more. Love all. This is the season of advent. You are free to worship, live, breathe, give, laugh, celebrate, conspire. Enter the story."

Even though my family has not stopped exchanging gifts at Christmas, we have cut back over the years and have already been incorporating some of the ideas suggested by AC. My point is, I don't believe it's wrong to buy gifts for friends and loved ones, but as the advent season approaches, I do suggest we carefully consider how we use our resources to bless others.

The estimated $450 billion spent at Christmas is a staggering amount of money which could be used to change the world, and if we aim to put "Christ in Christmas," I believe we need to give some real thought as to the example he set for us during his time here on Earth.