Every year I have a hard time with the commercialization of Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I like to get my kids a few gifts and I enjoy putting up a Christmas tree in my home, but it just seems like it's out of control. The disgusting display of Black Friday is just one example. So I was stoked when I found out that my church is getting involved in what's called Advent Conspiracy...I've excerpted a snippit from their website.
"The story of Christ's birth is a subversive story of an upside-down kingdom. It's a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love that is still changing the world to this day. 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 that we somehow missed its purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?
What if Christmas became a world-changing event again by turning our focus back to the birth of Christ? What could happen to your family if this focus was celebrated in loud, bold and totally unexpected ways? What if you could actually trade your season of stress for a season of celebration and unbelievable memories with your friends and family? What if all of this could save a life at the same time? It can. Welcome to Advent Conspiracy
People are dying from the lack of clean water. In fact, it's the leading cause of death in under resourced countries. 1.8 million people die every year from water born illnesses. That includes 3,900 children a day. The solution to this problem is directly beneath our feet. Drilling a fresh water well is a relatively inexpensive, yet permanent solution to this epidemic. $10 will give a child clean water for life. That's not an estimate. It's a fact. And here's another fact: Solving this water problem once and for all will cost about $10 billion. Not bad considering Americans spent $450 billion on Christmas last year. Our hope is that, by celebrating Christ in a new way at Christmas, the church can serve as the leading movement behind ending the water crisis once and for all."
Isn't this AWESOME? The idea isn't that you don't buy gifts at all-- it's that you buy less. And you make a point of giving gifts of relationship (i.e. a gift that would encourage spending time together). Also, instead of buying pointless gifts that aren't needed, give the gift of life. It's incredible that only $10 can get a child clean water for life! How can we NOT do this?? I'm absolutely stoked to be involved in something like this...wish I would've known about it earlier. If you like what you read, go to their website to find out more.
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
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I like this too. I've seen the difference a water well makes in a village in Bangladesh. I've been there in person before and after. The new water well makes that location a special place, as villagers line up daily to get their fresh water.
At times like these, the word "blessing" seems an understatement!
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