The Advent Conspiracy

“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.” John 1: 9-14

This post is a response to one of those chain emails that bemoans the lack of Christmas spirit as measured by how many people are saying "Merry Christmas". The email was lacking in all joy and had a tone much more befitting Ebenezer Scrooge than Tiny Tim as it railed against certain religious and political groups. Besides even if everyone this very minute climbed to the top of their roof and shouted Merry Christmas from the top of their lungs would that really do anything to change the focus of our holiday plans?

This Christmas season what would happen if we all renewed our commitment to justice and peace for all of God's children?

What would happen if we asked others to join us?

Starting in 2006 a handful of churches in the US tried this and now thousands of people in Africa have clean water to drink. They call it The Advent Conspiracy. Check out this website and watch this video to see how they did it.



Christ’s birth is the fulfillment of a promise to God’s people that radical change is not only possible it is promised to those who follow Christ and attempt to share His radical, revolutionary, limitless. This Christmas may we all find a way to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love fully.