Can you believe that we’re getting close to Christmas already? Are we starting your preparations? Is that the same questions as “Have you started shopping?” Is that really how we prepare for Christmas? Is that really the best way to lead in to celebrating the birth of the Savior?
Once again we invite all to join the Advent Conspiracy. Be subversive. Be missional. Be relational. Be Christian. Advent Conspiracy is a movement designed to help us all slow down and experience a Christmas worth remembering. A Christmas that is meaningful and makes a difference. But doing this means doing things a little differently.
Here are the four Advent Conspiracy activities:
[WORSHIP FULLY]
Christmas marks the moment where God’s promise was fulfilled and love took form, the “Word became flesh.” It is a moment that deserves our full attention and praise. This is where we begin our Advent involvement since everything should flow from worship of Christ. Are we truly celebrating His birth in all we do? He deserves celebration; one that is creative, loud and directs every heart His way.
[SPEND LESS]
Quick question for you: What was the one gift you remember getting for Christmas last year? Next question: What about the fourth gift? Do you remember that one? Truth is many of us don’t because it wasn’t something we necessarily wanted or needed. Spending Less isn’t a call to stop giving gifts; it’s a call to stop spending money on gifts we won’t remember in less than a year. America spends around $450 billion dollars during the Christmas season, and much of that goes right onto a credit card. By spending wisely on gifts we free ourselves from the anxiety associated with debt so we can take in the season with a full heart.
[GIVE MORE]
But didn’t we just say that we should spend less, and yet here we are telling you to give more? What gives?” The most powerful, memorable gift you can give to someone else is yourself. And nobody modeled this more than Jesus. So what does this look like for you? Spending time together. Doing activities with each other. Giving the most costly of gifts: Our Time, our attention, our hearts.
[LOVE ALL]
Christmas is about love. Love from a savior. Love to a neighbor in need. By spending just a little less on gifts we free up our resources to love as Jesus loves by giving to those who really need help. This is the conspiracy three churches began a few years ago, and has since grown to an international movement where thousands of churches have raised millions of dollars to love others in life-changing ways.
This year at St. John’s our “LOVE ALL” focus will be Lutheran World Relief. Please prayerfully consider “spending less,” giving fewer purchased gifts, so that in Christ’s name, you can make a life-changing and life-saving difference in the lives of others. In the next few weeks watch for information on how you can make a gift that will change lives. Watch for the Lutheran World Relief gift tree in the church entryway.