"The story of (Jesus) 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."
(above excerpt from http://www.adventconspiracy.org )
Great Idea--"The Advent Conspiracy"
I have just learned about a new "movement" among Christian churches this holiday season. It's called "The Advent Conspiracy," and seems to cut across deominational and theological lines. Although it is worded in traditional language, I am convinced many Unity folks and other Metaphysical Christians will find its proposal intriguing.
There are four basic principles which motivate the revolution called for by the Advent Conspiracy (and they really aren't all that revolutionary or conspiratorial):
Worship Fully
Spend Less
Give More
Love All
1. This year, move forward to a renewed celebration of God-with-us, which is what the birth of the Christ is all about.
2. Dial back on the expensive presents. Of course, give nice gifts--make some, buy some, recycle some. But cut back on the compulsive need to outspend last year's trappings. (Even Jesus only got gold, myrrh and frankincense once.)
3. Give some of the savings to people and organizations who really need it. With 10% of the nation unemployed and charitable giving spiraling downward, it isn't hard to find somplace to circulate the good by giving from a center of generosity and love. Prosperity begins by letting go, which does not require maxing out the credit cards.
4. Love your family and friends by paying attention, the greatest gift of all. Send the people you love a personally written note telling them why they're special to you. It will take longer than a shopping spree at Wal-Mart if you actually write to everybody. They will treasure your note--or the memory of it--long after the sweater you were going to purchase is faded and threadbare.
So, there it is. Commercialism is not a bad thing, but every good thing can be abused by over-use. This Christmas, why not join the Advent Conspiracy and de-criminalize modest gift-giving, set up a revolutionary council of note-writers, and share the good with those who need a little more Christmas cheer. Individuals, charitable organizations, churches--you find the place you are called to support. This is NOT a tithe, but it is pure prosperity principle in practice.
Here's a thought: You can give a flock of ducks to a needy family across the globe for $20.00 through the Heifer Project. Here's the URL, below, or you can just go to www.heifer.org and paddle obver to the ducks page.
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.2667667/?msource=kw205&gclid=CKrhr4nC2Z4CFRQhDQodew0qdw
And find a house of worship to celebrate the light of this holiday season with a community of faith. Join the Advent Conspiracy, and we can change the world.
