advent conspiracy
I have a friend who stopped buying presents on Christmas…because this time isn’t supposed to be about us. I’m not moving to that extreme, but it makes me consider what I want Olivia to grow up expecting out of the Christmas season. Will she see this as the time of year she gets the biggest gift of the year, or will she see this as a time to remember the birth of Jesus. What did you see it as growing up?
Here is a little video that brings another perspective:
13 Comments so far
Leave a reply
WOW
WOW
WOW!
That really puts things into perspective! When most of us are getting super caught up in the SHOP SHOP SHOP/SPEND SPEND SPEND mentality that strikes close to Christmas, we should be focusing MORE on the reason we celebrate Christmas–and that’s the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for sharing that, Darren. I will be sure to share it with everyone I know.
check out what we are doing for christmas this year too… http://www.water4christmas.com
we have raised $35,000 for wells in liberia so far!
That was cool…thanks.
Our Church played this before the sermon a few Sundays ago!! It really makes you think about what you are really doing and celebrating this Christmas!
That was great, Love it Darren!
This is a good one… as parents Andy and I try to fill each day of Advent helping our girls focus in on the birth of Chirst and not get overwhelmed w/ all the rest. It’s not easy in our busy lives and in a society like ours. We have to be intentional and very counter-cultural to keep focused. It’s fun though… reading books, singing songs, watching movies, lighting our advent candles… this year, now that Emma is almost 5, we are seeing some fruit as we see what she thinks of and talks about most… it’s not the presents.
And another HUGE thing for her this year was going out with me to choose gifts that we were giving to “kids who don’t have that much stuff” (her words). She helped choose, bring into the house, wrap, label, and deliver…. it was great!
My son gets 3 presents from mommy and daddy and 3 presents from Santa. We explained to him that Jesus got 3 presents at Christmas and so he will too. He now easily understands when we talk about the Wisemen and how they brought gifts to Jesus. He is only 2.5 years old. Merry Christmas!!!
A True Meaning of Christmas
Began with the Christ who was long before,
the foundations of the earth, N the beginning of time.
at that manger a human, God Himself Formed,
His word from an angel, 2 a virgin, Jesus was born.
on a bed of straws N from His country scorned.
2 open His eyes in darkness N make it light.
that star from heaven is still bright N our guide.
which brought 2 Him kings, shepherds N the wise.
2 worship the Princes of Peace N Savior of mankind.
Some have forgotten the true meaning at times.
It’s not about Santa , the Clause, it’s we’ve become blind.
On a day 2 honor His birthday we spend money N time
Teaching about a man in red, his sled N deer that can fly.
I’m sure Kris was a good man, but never the Christ
2 steal from GOD any glory or the spot light.
Wouldn’t like it on your birthday, I’m sure-I’m right.
Believing the truth is, A True Meaning Of Christmas .
Written By Tbone / Olga
and the wisdom of JAH
On 12.18 – 12.21.2007
Thanks for this, Darren.
Growing up when i thought about christmas, i always thought of gifts, what i was getting i hope my mom got the right gift. I knew that it was jeuse birthday but my focuse was not on that, until on christmas my mom bought me a boys to men cd ,and they have a song on the cd called Do They Know,the bening of the song starts Do They Know that jesuse was born on this to save our lives. do they know that he carryed the sins of the world on his heart so that you and i can live and we have an alternitive .That song made me look at things in the right way , christmas decame much more than gifts after that.
As a child raised to believe that christmas was all about opening gifts, it has been a bit of a struggle to relearn the true meaning of what christmas is all about as an adult. Jesus being the reason for the season, is much easier to embrace without the pressures that come along with gifts and holiday hoopla that can easily sidetrack us from christmas being the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Some people bake a cake or cupcakes to celebrate his birthday with their kids, and others buy Jesus a gift to help remind their children who is the real reason for the season. I thinks both ideas are great, and look forward to the day we have kids so we too can raise them to celebrate the real joy of the world…
thank you for the reminder of what a christian walk is supposed to look, live, and be like.
olivia is one very lucky girl.
adam and i are praying for you and olivia every day for God’s presence to be with you this seasonn.
love and blessing to you.