Here's a short clip that I came across on my friend's blog recently. It's part of a cause called Advent Conspiracy; a revolutionary effort to change what Christmas has become to what Christmas should be.
We recently finished a small group series that dealt with issues of peer pressure. The "revolving door of peer pressure" as we called it, gives us an opportunity to influence others, but more often than not, causes us to be negatively influenced by others.
Christmas is just one of the many areas that we are influenced by what everyone else does. Surprisingly, I didn't even realize I was affected so much by the "peer pressure of Christmas" until being reminded by my friend. Though most of us claim to know the real meaning of Christmas, and attempt to explain that giving and receiving gifts is just a perk, are we really being honest with ourselves? Are we even willing to change? Change is not easy, especially when it affects a lot of people around us.
Just imagine the look on the faces in your family if you show up WITHOUT a present for them this year, and then proceed tell them you donated their money to your favorite charity. ha. No worries, they will still make an effort to smile to save face. Just a thought.
Check out this video to get an idea of what I'm talking about:
"The Holiday Vice"
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9 comments:
www.melindacara.blogspot.com
You know you love me!! ;-)
Indeed. Thanks for your post Melinda. I left some valuable feedback on your blog.
Notice, I am not suggesting we do away with the exchanging of gifts, but rather challenging everyone to be more purposeful with their money and the reason they give.
ps: I am really hoping to get a GPS this year. ha. :)
I love it how right before you usually preach or yell at me, you'll use my full name instead of Mel. Hmm..something I've noticed, Charles Robert! lol
PS: the GPS..that makes two of us. ;-)
sweet dude. I was diggin' this. You need to post the video that was on the post before & after the one with this video with rick.
*it's the AC promo video & it is awesome!!!
Just from my b-day at least 20 people have access to clean water for life... let's turn this conspiracy into a revolution!
Wow. I've thought about this a lot the past couple of years...and have never known where to go with it...maybe this guy is onto some thing.
I think that we should give gifts everyday :) whether it be friendship, love, grace, an encouraging note, text, phone call or email, a smile to a stranger...stuff like that. Christmas is too commercial. I asked someone how the whole gift giving tradition started and they said(i knew they were going to say it..gift of prophecy is a curse and a blessing :-p)because the Wise Men brought Jesus gifts. Well, um, yeah...they knew Jesus was the King and they brought Him the rare gifts that were given to royalty(i learned that recently)!! I do consider myself royalty, I am in fact the daughter of the Almighty King. But that doesn't mean I need/want/deserve gifts. Do i enjoy them when I get them? Absolutely...I really enjoyed my Santa Mr. Potato Head and the tie I got at the Progressive Dinner :) but I don't enjoy it the same way I would if I were to receive words of affirmation or when I have quality time with someone!! anyway...I scored a zero on the gifts for the love language and often wonder if that is the real reason I don't give gifts very often or find it necessary to have them. I make exceptions with a new car and a BlackBerry of course ;-)
I love this...isn't our Father wonderful. I mean he made us all so different. How boring would we be if we were all the same? He has given us different desires and passions in life. That's why we have some passionate about Africa, others passionate about the plant, another passionate about youth, etc.. But we all come together under the blanket of His Love. All desiring to serve and honor Him in whatever area He's placed on our hearts. It's always nice to have fellow partners in Him to help open each others eyes to different areas that pull at our Father's heart. Let us now strive to keep learning from each other daily. Merry Christmas...now, let's go find Tiny Tim!! :-)
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