Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Advent Conspiracy
Hello everyone ok so today I was cruising around on some of my fav blogs and ran across this on Jeremy Cowart's blog, EVERY YEAR I promise myself and others that I will NOT participate in ONE more CONSUMERIST POWERED CHRISTMAS-- I HATE the consumerism of Christmas ( if you are a close friend or family member--I am sure you can attest to my rants) yet every year I usually cave and feel almost "FORCED" by mainly my VERY vocal family members--who think I am such a "grinch" ALL because I don't want to BUY MORE CRAP --TO give MORE CRAP so that I can STORE MORE CRAP and have more CRAP take up space in my already cramped room, and every single year I CONVINCE myself that I will be able to stick to my guns and NOT give in to peer pressure yet inevitably every year about two days before Christmas I feel guilty bc others have bought me stuff ,so I feel obligated to get them something and then I really do go buy TRUE crap, because by that time everything is picked over, all SO I will have something to "GIVE"...oh its a sick cycle but this year I am seriously not giving in and I have found an EVEN better thing to give check it out--this is an UH-MAZING idea. Please make sure you watch the video!
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6 comments:
OK-what if you chose a special service or contribution based upon the gift receipent's personality-the you have your picture made performing the service or write a letter about why you chose the particular charity based upon that person? A lot of thought and a sweet remembrance to wrap-PRETTY SPECIAL.
Oh and by the way-MY GIFT TO YOU-don't worry about getting me a gift this year!
It's always good to give to the less fortunate. And it is never good to get caught up in greed.
But let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater. It isn't like Jesus really needed gold, frankencense, and myrrh.
If it is better to give than receive, then even by receiving gifts we help others (by letting them have the joy of giving).
But giving time is a good gift. And giving money to people who need clean water is always good, too. I'm just saying don't let overcommercialization ruin a good thing.
LORA--I have advocated this very idea every year but ALWAYS get the thumbs down....My idea was for everyone pick there favorite charity or ministry and donate according to the person you are giving in honor of....SO if you have a family member in the construction business you could maybe give to the building of a school for an orphanage....I LOVE THE IDEA thanks!
#1 B.I.L.--Thanks for your comments and while they are warranted---I would like to point out that the whole reason behind the wise men's gifts were a sign of adoration to the newborn BABE, ARE YOU SUGGESTING that we should be compared to CHRIST and therefore expect the adoration of men and their gifts?
My reason for not "buying" in to this consumerism powered holiday is to do my part in stopping the insanity that our society and culture has elevated in the WORSHIP of the "gold, frankencense, and myrrh" but rather to put the emphasis back on the true object of our affection and worship and that is the CHRIST CHILD! No I can't change the whole culture but at least I can do my part in not "conforming to the pattern of this world" any longer.
Christ's example is that you can accept gifts regardless of need. The wise men didn't do Jesus any favors, but the gifts were good for them to give because they showed devotion (and they reflect God's extravagent gifts to us, and giving teaches us to be selfless, and thoughtful, etc).
I'm absolutely suggesting that we should always strive to be like Christ. Not in letting people worship us, but in allowing them to be Christ-like in their giving. If it is good for people to give, why would I want to stop them?
It's win-win. God is the ultimate giver, and we can reflect him by giving. He is also the ultimate receiver of gifts, since he graciously allows us to "give" to him even though he REALLY doesn't need anything.
It's a little like the Lewis qoute where Sixpence None the Richer got their name. God doesn't gain anything by allowing us to give to him, but it is appropriate and good to do it anyway. I don't need much of anything, but that doesn't mean it isn't good for my relationships for me to receive presents (even if they are donations in my name to a charity - which I would happily accept.)
Christmas is a good time for gifts because they reference both the incredible Gift of Jesus and the gifts to Jesus. It's a celebration.
While you are entitled to your opinion and I respect your opinion I am only going to say this once because its obvious we don't see eye to eye on this particular matter which is completely fine....However I believe that the particular passage that you are referring to is a descriptive passage of scripture rather than a PRESCRIPTIVE account, meaning that it was a common practice in their culture to bring gifts to a new birth, such as in our culture today, and I think you are twisting that passage around to advocate your stance. This IS MY FINAL ANSWER AND I WILL NOT USE THIS FORUM to debate this subject any longer because it is neither productive nor beneficial.
Whoa...
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