I've heard so many people talking about "The War on Christmas" recently that I decided to gather my own thoughts on the subject. This is a two-part post. The first is "Who is the enemy?" and the second is "What is the answer?"
In my last post, I spoke about how consumerism grips Americans--both Christians and non-Christians--during the Christmas season. During this holiday unlike any other we unrestrain our insatiable hunger for more stuff, better stuff and newer stuff. Most of us end up rushing through the holiday tearing open gifts like the Tazmanian Devil only to spend a little time with family and say a brief word about that other guy...what's his name...oh yeah, Jesus.
So what is the answer? If the problem is that we spend too much money at Christmas ($450 Billion annually), then the solution is to spend less. If the problem is that we amass too much crap, then the solution is to buy less crap. If the problem is that the story of Jesus' birth has ceased to be the guiding narrative of this season, then the solution is to tell his story more often and more passionately. Seems pretty simple to me.
To this end, pastors Rick Mckinley and Chris Seay have launched Advent Conspiracy. They believe that we should be celebrating Jesus' life by living like Jesus did. (I know. Novel idea, right?) That means giving, but not materially. Instead, we give relationally. Jesus gave "presence," not "presents." Advent Conspiracy challenges followers of His way to give fewer gifts and give more time to others we love. Then we take some of that money we didn't spend and we give it to the poor, hurting, hungry, lonely, thirsty, and sick. Advent Conspiracy asks us to trade consumerism for selflessness, meaning and memories.
Check out their powerful new promo video:
Rick McKinley admits that some Christians are initially apprehensive about joining with Advent Conspiracy. "Some people were terrified," he recently told Ministry Today. "They said, 'My gosh, you're ruining Christmas. What do we tell our kids?'" After realizing this didn't mean abstaining from giving any gifts, people began to jump on board. Today, this organization has given millions of dollars to help alleviate the global water crisis.
It's probably too late to adopt this approach for your 2009 Christmas. That's okay. Maybe you should begin planning to celebrate next Christmas the Advent Conspiracy way. Tell your church leaders. Tell your pastor. Tell your small group. Celebrate like Jesus.
Of course, you couldrefuse to do anything differently. You could keep spending untold dollars on mountains of junk every year. And you could keep fooling yourself into thinking that the way to place Jesus at the center of this holiday is crusading against the "War on Christmas" and boycotting any retailer who doesn't celebrate how you'd like them to. "Christians get all bent out of shape over the fact that someone didn't say 'Merry Christmas' when I walked into the store," McKinley says. "But why are we expecting the store to tell our story? That's just ridiculous."
I say we begin telling the Jesus story on our terms in our own way. Not with a glib greeting at the front of Wal-Mart, but through sacrifice and relationship.
OTHER GREAT IDEAS:
Sometimes you have to give something. After all, some people you know will doubtlessly give you a gift and if you don't return the gesture, you'll feel awful until Valentine's Day. For these people on your list, consider Heifer International. Through Heifer, you can donate animals to people in poor countries. You choose what you want to give--a goat, chickens, lamb, llama, beifer (hence the name). These will help life people out of poverty and when donated in someone's name makes a great gift.
Christmas and trees go together like peanut butter and jelly. But how many Douglas Firs does one household need. Consider giving some plantable trees that are indigenous to your area through the Arbor Day Foundation. They are inexpensive and ship right to your door. I gave a set of these to several of my friends this year.
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