Christmas Was Meant to Change the World
More than 1,000 churches band together for Advent Conspiracy
Are you tired of getting caught up in the holiday madness each year? Shouldn't the Christmas season be a time to slow down and remember whats important rather than getting lost in the frenzy?In 2006, five churches from across the United States banded together to restore the scandal of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption. They called their movement "Advent Conspiracy", and challenged their members to...
Worship more: We shouldn't compete with the consumer impulses of our culture, but instead align ourselves with Christ, worshipping him in a holistic way.
Spend less: We need to learn that part of saying "yes" to Jesus means that we say "no" to over-spending. We say "no" to over-consumption. We say "no" to these things so we can create space to say "yes" to Jesus and his reign in our lives.
Give more: We have to think in a new way about what it means to give ourselves to others. We can be transformed by the story of Advent, knowing that we give relationally because God gave relationally.
Love all: It was in the Advent that Jesus entered our poverty so we would no longer be poor. The money we save by giving relationally and rejecting consumerism can change the lives of people in our communities and our world.
Last year the five participating churches collected just under half of a million dollars. The majority of the money was given to Living Water International to help impoverished communities like Chacocente acquire safe water (click here for their story).
This kind of outrageous giving transforms the lives of both givers and recipients, and demonstrates the radical, scandalous truth of Christmas.
This year, excitement is building; more than 1,000 churches and organizations have already joined the conspiracy for Christmas 2007. Participating groups will take an offering just before Christmas, made up of money that was saved through relational giving and resisting over-consumption. With these funds, each church or organization will find ways to love desperate people with the love of God--both in their communities and around the world.
Click here to visit the Advent Conspiracy website, learn more, and sign your group up to be part of the movement.
