Enter the Story: ADVENT CONSPIRACY

The story of Christ’s birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.  So, what happened?  What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a Savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.  And when it’s all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose.  Is this what we really want out of Christmas?  What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?  Welcome to Advent Conspiracy, a movement calling us to proclaim Christ in how we celebrate Christmas.
Advent Conspiracy was started in hopes of making Christmas a revolutionary event by encouraging faith communities to Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All.  The response has been overwhelming and the Conspiracy was born.  
ENTER THE STORY
Advent Conspiracy is designed as a resource for churches to engage in authentic Worship and Giving at Christmas more fully.  Be as creative and bless those in need by giving relationally as God gave His Son to us at Christmas.  You have the privilege of pause, pray, and decide how you would like to Give More to those in need.  The concept behind Advent Conspiracy is simple.......
{WORSHIP FULLY}  
It starts with Jesus.  It ends with Jesus.  This is the holistic approach God had in mond for Christmas.  It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God.  It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath.  It’s the party of the year.  Entering the story of Advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.

{SPEND LESS}
Before you think we’re getting all Scrooge on you, let us explain what we mean.  We like gifts.  Our kids really like gifts.  But consider this:  America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas.  How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation?  How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation?  Thanks, but no thanks, right?  We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas.  Just one.  Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle:  They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.  
{GIVE MORE}
God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love.  So it’s not wonder why we’re drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible.  Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found at the mall.  Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom.  Time to write mom a letter.  Time to take the kids sledding.  Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols.  Time to make love visible through relational giving.  Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?
{LOVE ALL}
When Jesus loved, he loved in ways never imagined.  Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick.  He played to the margins.  By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join him in giving resources to those who need help the most.....the least of these.  One less gift.  One unbelievable present in the name of Christ.  
GIVE PRESENCE!!!