E-Devo Dec. 2, 2009
Happy Advent!
Yes, this is the first week of Advent. No, we don’t have to let the retailers take over the holiday. Now, is our time to lift up Christ and share gifts that are more meaningful and lasting than you get at the mall: hope, peace, joy, love, eternal life (just to name a few). I remember running into a church member one year at Target. She had a basket full of items and commented how much money and effort she HAD to spend to get everybody at least a “little” something in case they had bought something for her or her family. She was buying for kids’ classmates, teachers, co-workers, relatives, neighbors. All out of a sense of obligation. With the current economic conditions, I’m sure all of us have cut back on purchases, entertaining, and giving. Maybe that’s a perfect time to re-orient some of our Christmas expectations…
How much our Christmas preparations are done out of obligation? As I said on Sunday, in what ways can we get across the message of Christ, not buying and consuming? If Christmas celebrates the birth of the Christ-child, let’s also share life with others! If God created a way out of darkness, let’s also be creative with others! If God came to be with us, let’s also be with others!
For years now, our family has tried to participate in Alternative Gift Giving. I can’t remember the last time I shopped at the mall for Christmas presents! Instead, we make donations in honor of our loved ones, picking ones that we know match their hearts, not neck size. If we are buying products like scarves or coffee/tea or ornaments, we buy FAIR TRADE handiwork from cooperatives around the world. Certified charities make sure that fair wages are paid, that cultural skills & customs are preserved, and financial futures are built. Often the charities will include a card, a small gift, or description of the project. Here are some of our favorite websites sites where you can spread the JOY faithfully and creatively this year…
Heifer Project-purchase livestock for growing communities www.heifer.org
World Vision- support various community projects www.worldvisiongifts.org
Ten Thousand Villages- global handiwork www.tenthousandvillages.com
A Greater Gift-global handiwork www.SERVV.org
Society of St. Andrew- gleaning projects to supply food banks www.endhunger.org
Advent Conspiracy- clean water projects and homemade gift ideas www.adventconspiracy.org
NothingButNets- malaria prevention & cool BuzzKill t-shirts www.nothingbutnets.net
We, Christians, can make a difference with our purchases! Do Good! Be Good! Happy Advent!
~Pastor Amber
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*Santa’s Tree Farm has told us that THIS weekend will be the busiest weekend for customers. We’d like to add a caroling group for THIS SUNDAY, 12/6, at 5:30pm. If you can even pretend to sing, we’d love to have you! Reply to this email or contact Gerrie McClary. Other dates will be 12/13, 12/16, 12/19
*Don’t forget CRUMC members get 15% off at Santa’s Tree Farm, and these trees are MADE IN USA. Christmas Tree farms employ over 100,000 people every year.
*This Sunday, 12/6, at 8am is Men’s Breakfast, and Rev. Paul Massingill will be sharing a word. Come for good food, come for camaraderie!