AMERICAN CHURCHES RECLAIM CHRISTMAS FROM THE SHOPPING MALLS

March 2010

APN Newsletter

A new church-based initiative which swept the USA in December has helped put 'Christ' back into 'Christmas.' The new movement, called Advent Conspiracy, helped people across the United States to dedicate themselves to rethinking Christmas—and reclaiming its original intent, according to Mike Tolson, writing for the Houston Chronicle. He said that the church-based initiative has spread like a viral video since a few Houston pastors came up with the idea four years ago, with more than 5,000 churches across the nation participating this past Christmas.

Tolson states the Advent Conspiracy was born of a common complaint: There was too much time and money spent shopping, too little time spent enjoying family and friends and almost no time devoted to the Scriptural messages of service delivered by the One whose birth is celebrated on December 25.  He added that the Advent Conspiracy has a four-prong approach to the holiday designed to push followers away from mindless consumerism and towarda celebration filled with purpose.

Tolson explains the four legs of their strategy. He wrote: "Worship fully, not just a quick trip to an overcrowded sanctuary on Christmas Eve. Spend less, not avoiding gift-giving but rolling back the extent of it. Give more, both of your time and your resources to help others. And love all, with a special consideration for those in the humblest of circumstances." This was not a hard sell to their congregations, said Tolson. "But," says Tolson, "what was surprising was how many churches of all sorts responded. Big churches, small ones, across all 'isms' and doctrinal stripes."