This year my church is participating in a movement called “The Advent Conspiracy.” It calls Christ followers to take back the real meaning of Christmas and to not get sucked into the consumerist trap that we all so easily find ourselves in that time of year. While most at least agree with the idea of the movement a few concerns have been expressed. How would this effect the economy? What will it do to my children? Won’t people think I’m crazy? Here are my thoughts to those concerns:
I agree that maybe the advent conspiracy isn’t as black and white as it may seem at first glance. If the nation were to suddenly stop falling into the consumer trap that surrounds Christmas, there would undoubtedly be severe consequences in our economy’s health. However, while the idea of the Advent Conspiracy sweeping the nation over night is appealing, it is not likely to happen. If the idea of the advent conspiracy is beginning to creep into the circles of Christ followers across the nation, the changes will be spread out over years as this idea takes root and Christians begin to respond.
While there is the concern of businesses which may be dependent on Christmas sales, what percentage of spending is from businesses such as these? What percentage of your spending is from these businesses? Maybe it’s not necessary to cut down on the spending from small locally owned shops such as these in order to catch on to the idea of the Advent Conspiracy. Most of the spending comes from large corporations such as Target, Best Buy, etc. While profits sky rocket around Christmas, it would be hard for me to believe that those corporations are dependent on sales during Christmas. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for them to suffer a little bit? Cut back on production? So as you buy gifts, think about where that money is going. Is it going to a large corporation? Or is it going to support the family that owns the bookstore where you purchased your gifts?
Buying gifts is not in and of itself a bad thing. We are called to give. But who are you giving to? Maybe instead of giving to people who already have abundantly more than they need, you buy for those who don’t. If instead of buying a new jacket for your daughter, you buy a jacket for a young girl without a home and allow your daughter to share in the joy that comes with giving it to her. It is easy to think that children won’t understand that concept but you might be surprised… give it a chance. Don’t use it as an excuse.
In my mom’s post “Yes, But: The Tensions of Advent Conspiracy” she expressed concern about me, her daughter, feeling slighted because of my faith in Jesus. I’m going to take a minute to speak to that because I think it’s a common and yet maybe an unnecessary concern. While your children may be disappointed and not understand it all right away, it is a great teaching opportunity. And as I previously stated, don’t underestimate their understanding and desire to contribute to meeting the needs of the poor. Given the choice, it may surprise you how many of them would choose to give, they simply just don’t know how. They don’t have much of their own to give, but when enabled they discover the joy they receive from it. Is there any age to young to start teaching this? Imagine a generation raised with a passion to give to those in need.
While my parents didn’t spend extravagant amounts of money on us kids at Christmas (for which I am grateful) I never in the least bit felt like I didn’t have enough. Furthermore, while I can’t recall most of the gifts I received, I can recount endless stories of the times we spent together as a family. My Christmas memories are not about the gifts I got. In fact I can barely recall what I received last year. My memories are of bundling up to go cut down a Christmas tree and joking about all the “Charlie Brown” Christmas trees. Listening to the same CD every year while decorating the tree and pulling out all the old homemade ornaments, laughing about the pig ornament or the many ridiculous old Sunday school ornaments that were clearly made in the 80’s and early 90’s. Arguing about whose Jesus got to be in the nativity scene or whose homemade star got to be on top of the tree, only to laugh about it years later. Sitting in the light of advent candles and praying as a family and reading part of the nativity story each week. Going to the Christmas Eve service, followed by a celebration with family friends in the neighborhood. The cold walk home with the crisp night air against my face and the crunching snow with each step, hooting at owls in the trees overhead. Spending the night in my sister’s room and waking up early to play games before heading downstairs. Eating breakfast and lunch together around the dining room table. A walk down to the lake to work off all the food we just ate. Those are the memories I have. Not of presents. Those are the things that will make Christmas special. And those are the things that make God smile.
So, that sounds great and all in theory but people will call me crazy! Yes, they probably will. But since when does a person living a life that is “set-apart” or holy make decisions that look rational to others? Take Simon and Peter for example. In Luke 5 Jesus gives then the best catch anyone has ever seen. The boat is so full of fish that it begins to sink. Jesus then says to them “come follow me.” Peter and Simon then “pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” They didn’t go sell all the fish first, say goodbye to friends and family, raise enough money to support themselves on their trip, pack up all their belongings and then leave. No, they dropped their nets, and left. Imagine what their friends and family thought! What would you have thought? Then later the disciples find themselves in the middle of a storm in a fishing boat in the ocean. Jesus comes to them walking on water and asks Peter to come to him. He is literally asking Peter to step out of the boat in the middle of the ocean during a violent storm. Would you get out? Peter did. And he walked on the water until he took his eyes of Jesus and saw the storm around him and lost faith. Then he began to sink. Are you willing to get out of the boat? People will call you crazy, they won’t understand, but if you “fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith” He will be faithful. He’ll pull you back up when you start to sink. Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love explains it this way:
Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don’t always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth.
While some of these concerns might be valid, double check yourself when you start to question the Advent Conspiracy movement; are these really the issue? Or are they convenient excuses to not make the changes that will undoubtedly be difficult and alter your way of living?
“God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.” (Crazy Love-Francis Chan)
Are you willing to drop your nets?
Will you step out of the boat?
