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Note from the Pastor, December 6, 2015

  Until last week, I had never heard about the Advent Conspiracy. But when I received an e-mail about it from Yolanda about it on the same day that Pastor Brian Bell from Trulls Road Free Methodist Church asked me if I was acquainted with it, I knew that the Lord was trying to tell me something. So I looked it up and this is what I learned.
  In 2006, five American pastors imagined a better way to celebrate Christmas. They were turned off by the consumerism of this Christian holiday. So they started a movement around four basic tenets. Worship fully. Spend less. Give more. Love all. And they called it “The Advent Conspiracy.”
  The "worship fully" tenet focuses us on Jesus, the reason for the season. It's an important reminder in a culture that has turned the message of the Christ Mass into a confusing mix of candy canes, reindeer, decorated evergreens, mistletoe, a Jewish couple and a baby, gift exchanges, movies about characters named Scrooge, Elf, and the Grinch, and a bearded, big bellied man named Santa who says “Ho, Ho, Ho” a lot. Imagine the bewilderment of new immigrants and refugees arriving in North America in December! The Advent Conspiracy points us back to "entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.”
  Is overspending such a problem that we need the second tenet, "spend less"? A new CIBC poll says that Canadians expect to spend $650 per person or close to $2,000 per family on Christmas in 2015. CBS News predicts that Americans will spend even more, forking over an average of $800 per person between Black Friday and Christmas Eve. That's great news for store owners and credit card companies. But it will certainly increase consumer debt and stress when the bills come due in January. The Advent Conspiracy, on the other hand, wants us to experience the peace that Jesus came to bring, including financial peace. The "spend less" tenet does not mean spending nothing. Instead, it means “spend wisely” on fewer, less expensive gifts that we will actually remember one year from now.
  The third tenet, "give more", seems to be at odds with the "spend less" tenet. But it isn't. At Trulls Road Church, for example, a special offering is held in December for the money that people saved by spending less on Christmas. That money is then donated to local agencies like Gate 3:16 or The Refuge. Pastor Bell speculated that the money raised in this year’s "Spend Less; Give More" collection may be directed towards refugee sponsorship. For those who are looking for a cause, the Advent Conspiracy suggests giving to non-profit organizations or ministries that provide clean water in third world countries.
  The "Love All" tenet is a no-brainer. If any season should be all about love, it's the Christmas season when we celebrate the loving Son that God sent because he “so loved the world.” But how shall we “love all?” By scheduling quality time with family and friends. By blessing people in need with carols in old age homes, meals in shelters and necessities in Third world countries. By expressing our appreciation to neighbours, colleagues, classmates and anyone else who made our lives better this year. And by forgiving anyone who made our lives more difficult.
  The Advent Conspiracy has generated a great conversation in our home, and it has already led to several significant changes in our Christmas schedule and budget. I invite you to join this conspiracy by saying “Yes” to a more meaningful, Christ-focused celebration of Christmas.
- Pastor Peter

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