Thursday, November 27, 2008

The Advent Conspiracy



Preparations for Christmas have started in our household. The Christmas tree is up and decorations are appearing all over the house. I know…it’s just Thanksgiving today. But even when I say that to my lovely bride…Erin just looks at me in that endearing way (doubling endearing right now ‘cause she’s so great with child!) and smiles and I realize I’m not going to stop this freight train from going where it wants to go.

Sam’s in on it too. He gave us a Christmas list last week, two pages worth, on unlined paper with incredibly small print! It was mostly filled with Legos, the Star Wars kind that are so popular right now. I think Erin and I were a bit taken aback. I know we live in a culture of supersized consumerism and that advertising aimed not only at Erin and I, but at our children is every where evident. But to see it so clearly in the wishes of your children?

It was an opportunity for conversation—about Santa, about gifts, and about whose birthday we’re actually celebrating.

You see because Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. Not mine. Not Sam’s. Not Erin’s. Not yours. No doubt that if we could, we would all give those closest to us the desires of their hearts…even the world if they asked for it and we could deliver. And that’s just very natural and very human.
But the reality is that somewhere in the glitter and glow, in the ceaseless playing of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time!), ELF, White Christmas, and a Christmas Carol, Jesus has been lost. In the flow of television adds, billboards, bulk emailings, texts, and mass mailings all trying to entice us to buy the wares they are promulgating, Jesus has been lost.

Jesus has been lost. No, the truth is that the Lord of creation can’t actually get lost. But we can certainly lose sight of him…especially in this season where the reason has been co-opted by our consumeristic expectations.

So churches all over USAmerica have been starting a countercultural revolution. It’s called The Advent Conspiracy and you can check it out at www.adventconspiracy.com. It’s principles are basic and go like this:

1. Worship Fully
2. Spend Less
3. Give More
4. Love All


From the website...

Christmas can [sill] change the world.

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.
So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy.

Worship Fully
Spend Less
Give More
Love All

Welcome to the Advent Conspiracy. So here’s my question to you St. Stephen: When was the last time you participated in a really good conspiracy?

That’s what I thought. It’s time to press the societal reset button and give Jesus the biggest gift we can. Ourselves. Our worship. Our resources given for the sake of the poor of the world. Jesus gave himself to the world, both in life and death, that ALL might have life. So this Christmas, whether it’s in a large way or a small way, give your family the gift of finding someway to help those who are struggling with life find life through you, and through your generosity…the kind that points to Jesus.

Happy Advent!

Pastor Nathan

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