The Advent Conspiracy
Posted by tom | Nov 13, 2007Thank-you to Kristen for passing along the link to The Advent Conspiracy (and letting me know there's a Facebook group):
[AC] Advent Conspiracy is an international movement restoring the scandal of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption.
This year, Christmas isn't about credit cards. It's about:
- Worshipping Christ more meaningfully.
- Refusing our culture's hunger for consumerism.
- Giving relationally to our friends and family.
- Loving all by giving to those most in need.
Similar thoughts have been woven throughout Practicing a Christ-centered Christmas. On Sunday, we discussed familial challenges highlighted by Chevy Chase' Christmas Vacation. Note: I showed the house lighting scene where Chevy gets frustrated, experiences victory, and finds unexpected guests.
We spent a fair amount of time expressing the shock of already seeing Christmas out on the store shelves and airwaves while asking ourselves what is gift-giving? In addition, I briefly touched upon Pittsburgh's Sparkle Season, and David Hall's What Do You Want For Christmas? Next week we'll discuss guiding our family through Advent/Christmas. One idea regarding the nativity set which I've found of particular value, is having Mary and Joseph travel throughout the house, arriving at the manger Christmas Eve, followed by baby Jesus on Christmas morning. If Theresa's feeling up to it, maybe we can get the Jesse Tree in motion. Will she let me cover a wall with a paper tree and some paper ornaments?
On November 25, I'll conclude with sharing The Advent Conspiracy and an introduction to Advent devotions.
Drawing close to our First Love will begin on December 2. Below is the class description, if you have suggestions, feel free to post or email.
Looking for a shelter in the midst of the holiday storm and an opportunity to draw close to your First Love as you chart direction for the new year? Join us for Advent prayer and reflection informed by daily devotional readings from Watch for the Light and new year explorations of the habits of devotion which keep us close to our First Love in the midst of Tyranny of the Urgent.
