Week of December 6, 2009

  • Pastor David Hillis
  • Dec 7, 2009
  • Series: Welcome to My World

How are your “conspiracy” plans coming?  Has your family come up with any good ideas yet for how you can spend less, give more, love more actively, and worship more fully this Christmas?

In my sermon on Nov. 29 I shared how our family had made a decision to spend less by giving a few less gifts and use that money to sponsor Sergio, a 7-year-old boy from a poor village on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, through Compassion International.  I also decided to give the gift of time to my parents who live on the other side of the country,

In the last week, I have been so deeply encouraged by your responses.  Some of the decisions made have been out of sheer necessity this season, as a result of the economy and unemployment.  One person wrote, “Since we have no money to give any Christmas gifts this year, I will give of my time and talents to others.” 

Another said, "It's been a tough year for us financially and I have been wondering how I could stretch this year's Christmas budget. We won't be able to send our 6 nieces the usual gift card with $, but after last Sunday I got to thinking, and now I'm copying some of my favorite recipes for them instead."

Others have made choices to do Christmas differently by sheer choice.  Many of these are really creative and deeply personal.  Here are a few of those examples:

  • “I will return December’s rent to one of our renters — a family of 5 — because they can use it.  I’m happy to share because God has blessed me!”
  • “Christmas is less about gifts for us and more about the experience of giving to those we love.  We focus more on experiences than stuff.  We limit our kids’ gifts to three, just like Jesus, and buy gifts for a three needy children in the name of each of our three kids.”
  • “In lieu of gifts, my family (extended included) donate to a charity…Animal Rescue, Diabetes Foundation, etc., usually in the name of a loved one.”
  • “I will be giving the gift of fresh water, rather than buying a gift for myself.”
  • “I made personalized family trees for each member of my family.”
  • “Our family has cut our spending budget way back and I want us to focus more on Jesus' birthday and less on materialism.  We sponsor a Compassion child too!”
  • “We’ve given our three kids $10 bills, and challenged them during December to look for people in need to help them with a cash gift.  We’ll tell our stories of giving on Christmas day.”
  • “Instead of killing a tree and spending money on stamps, we’re emailing a homemade card to people for Christmas, that includes info on the Advent Conspiracy.”

Please keep the ideas coming! 

In the meantime, please check out some of the latest ideas on the Advent Conspiracy podcast.  Be inspired by the 250+ videos on YouTube about the Advent Conspiracy by churches and individuals around the world.

To see the weblinks and information provided last week, CLICK HERE.

And remember, whether you post your ideas on the Advent Conspiracy board in the church lobby, on our website or on our Facebook page, the important thing is that you share your story!  Share it anonymously if you want to, but share.  Share so the rest of us can not only hear one more voice who is conspiring with us, but so that we can be inspired by your story to do Christmas differently this year, and the years to come.

Until next time, Merry Christmas!  Think different!

Dave's Photo-Signature

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