What's Happening?
This Christmas - Enter the Story
[WORSHIP FULLY]
It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.
[SPEND LESS]
Before you think we’re getting all Scrooge on you, let us explain what we mean. We like gifts. Our kids really like gifts. But consider this: America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas. How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.
Looking for ways to give gifts that don't cost a lot of money? Have a few ideas you'd like to share? Head to rethinkingchristmas.com today.
[GIVE MORE]
God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it’s no wonder why we’re drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found at the mall. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Time to make love visible through relational giving. Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?
[LOVE ALL]
When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When ACC first participated in Advent Conspiracy in 2008, we were able to use the money saved by spending less on gifts in order to build fresh water wells for communities that did not have access to clean water in Haiti. Two wells were built, and another was repaired. Over 1800 people were given the gift of clean water through ACC's participation. But what's even more amazing is that we were only one of thousands of churches who have joined the movement to re-think Christmas in this way. Millions of lives have been blessed, if not saved outright, and the message of Christ has been shared as well.
[RESOURCES]
For more information on Advent Conspiracy, Living Water International, and some creative ideas for giving gifts, check out the following sites:
Advent Conspiracy Home Page - Lots of good resources and videos.
Living Water International - The organization we partner with for drilling water wells. Lots of resources, inspirational videos, information and ideas.
Rethinking Christmas - A forum geared towards the public for generating and sharing creative gifting ideas.
