Sunday Summary: The Advent Conspiracy - Part 4 : Not a Silent Night

We began the last Sunday of Advent with scripture from the Christmas story that's probably familiar to most of us. It comes from Luke 2:1-20 (The Voice):

The emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus, required everyone to participate in a census. Each person had to go to their ancestral city. (The purpose of a census like this was to be sure that everyone was appropriately taxed and everyone knew who was in charge.)

Joseph had to participate in the census just like everyone else. Because he was a descendant of King David, his ancestral city was Bethlehem. Mary, who was late in her pregnancy, accompanied him. While in Bethlehem, she went into labor and gave birth to a son, Jesus. She wrapped the baby in a cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because the inn had no room for them.

Outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their livestock. Suddenly an angel stood before them, and they were terrified. "Don’t be afraid!" said the angel, "I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere." Then, the angel was joined by a heavenly choir, singing praises to God.

The shepherds rushed into town to see for themselves, and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger. Knowing this was the beginning of the prophecy, they spread the story of what they had seen. Everyone who heard the story was eager, for they knew its meaning... the great King had come to earth.

We often like to think of this time of year as it's depicted in the perfect, sappy, happy-ending Christmas specials we see on TV. You know what I mean... Lifetime and the Hallmark Channel have been running them non-stop since November 1st (with ABC and Fox close behind), so don't pretend you didn't get sucked into at least one.

But, as most of us know, it's not always a perfect world. In fact, Christmas can be a really difficult time for a lot of us... Maybe it's the first year since losing a loved one. Maybe money is really tight and we can't afford a grand meal and lots of toys for the kids. Maybe we don't have the support of our family and friends and spend the season alone.

Imagine how imperfect that first Christmas was... Mary, a very pregnant teenager, traveling over mountains to the Sea of Galilee, by foot or on a donkey, with her fiancé, Joseph. It was a week-long journey of 80 miles or so. (Here's one interpretation of what it may have been like.)

Upon arriving in Bethlehem, they're told they is no room at the inn for them, but meager accommodations are made. Imagine the smell, the noise, the utter calamity happening around them. Imagine giving birth — not in a clean hospital with doctors, nurses, epidurals, room service, and cable TV — but in a stable, alone but for her fiancé, surrounded by livestock. It was not likely a silent night, as we often romanticize it. The cries of a mother in labor. The animals agitated by their new guests. Blood and screaming, then a crying newborn baby. Most definitely not a silent night. (A video of the song, "Labor of Love" by Andrew Peterson.)

Yet, God was in the midst of all of it... the incarnation and embodiment of an almighty and powerful God.

The time of Jesus' birth was a dark time in history, stricken with greed and corruption. But with his birth came a new empire. His first visitors were not ambassadors or dignitaries. They were simple shepherds, with little to no status in the world. The revolution, then and now, is in the quiet hearts of humble, ordinary people who have made room in their lives for him.

No matter how much our lives do or do no reflect the Christmas story, God comes to every cradle — from the throne of heaven, down to the level of humanity — living among us in a broken world... seeing our pain and struggle, and meeting us where we're at.

The final theme in the Advent Conspiracy is: Love all. 

It all boils down to love. Love from a savior. Love to a neighbor in need. By spending just a little less on gifts we free up our resources to love as Jesus loves by giving to those who really need help.

Go. Be. Do.

Written by Kay Weiss, guest blogger

Sunday Summary: The Advent Conspiracy - Part 3 : Light in the Darkness

Sunday's scripture came from Luke 1:57-80 (The Voice), and depicts the birth and Jewish naming ceremony of John the Baptist. Elizabeth had her baby and the news quickly spread through the community, about the story of a barren woman who had given birth. Eight days after he was born, the time came for his circumcision and naming.

Everyone assumed he would be named Zachariah, after his father. But Elizabeth insisted his name would be John. When they asked Zachariah, who was still unable to speak, he wrote, “His name is John.” This breach of family custom surprised everyone. And at that moment, Zachariah was able to talk, and he shouted out praises to God in song (called the Benedictus):

"May the Lord God of Israel be blessed indeed! For God’s intervention has begun, and He has moved to rescue us, the people of God."

The first part is a song of thanksgiving for the realization of the hopes of the oppressed nation is Israel. The second part is addressed to his son, who would play an important role in the redemption:

"And you, my son, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will be the one to prepare the way for the Lord..."

Step back for a moment and consider that Zachariah had been silent for 9 months. It was a time of thought and reflection for him and it's likely that he gave serious thought to the possibility of what was coming. If you were unable to speak, what would you think about?

His silence is symbolic of a people living in oppression. The world he lived in was one of anguish and persecution. Legions of Roman soldiers stood guard in Judea, often carrying out brutal and violent attacks. Its citizens were expected to keep in line with the decrees of Rome, lest they face torture, imprisonment, or death. It was a world of hardship and suffering and darkness.

An angel had come to him and foretold of liberation from this injustice, and yet he was unable to speak of it. When the time came for him to say something, he was prepared. His silence was lifted. The messiah was coming and God was about to fulfill thousands of years of prophesy by lifting up these people. They were filled with hope for what lie ahead and called to trust in God.

Following the The Advent Conspiracy movement, the focus this week is on giving more. 

What weighs heavy on our hearts and minds in today's world? What darkness and persecution and injustice do we see happening around us? How will we get involved? What will we give to the world?

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." - lyrics from a gospel children's song by Harry Dixon Loes, circa 1920

When we choose to follow Christ, we enter this story. The world today is broken in many ways and still needs prophets. It still needs messengers and people of God to prepare the way. We are all called to the task... believers and doubters, saints and sinners. We are called to be the light. We can come together as a community and stand for peace and justice and God's love. We can be a people proclaiming light in the darkness.

Go. Be. Do.

Written by Kay Weiss, guest blogger

Feeling Thirsty?

783 million people in the world lack access to clean drinking water.
That's 1 in 9 of us on the planet! 

• Americans spend $450 billion on Christmas each year. 
• $20 billion would be enough provide clear water to every person. 

You get where we're going with this… 

Part of our conspiring this Advent is to challenge ourselves to spend a little less and give a little more. All through December, we will be receiving donations to the Ghana Water Projects through UMCOR. Every dollar given goes directly to the project. NONE gets caught in administrative costs.

This Christmas, give the gift of water.

Learn more at Ghana Water Projects.

Sunday Summary: The Advent Conspiracy - Part 2 : Upside Down

We picked up our reading of the Christmas story with Luke 1:39-56 (The Voice). Mary has just learned that she is pregnant with Jesus (who will be the Messiah). She travels to Judea to be with her cousin, Elizabeth, who is also pregnant with a son (to be known as John the Baptist).

Upon entering the house, Mary greets her cousin. When she hears Mary's voice, the child in Elizabeth's womb leaps, and she is overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. She praises Mary for her faith. Mary, who is deeply moved, responds in song:

My soul lifts up the Lord! My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator!

For though I’m God’s humble servant, God has noticed me.

Now and forever, I will be considered blessed by all generations. 

For the Mighty One has done great things for me; holy is God’s name!

From generation to generation, God’s loving kindness endures for those who revere Him. 

God’s arm has accomplished mighty deeds.

The proud in mind and heart, God has sent away in disarray. 

The rulers from their high positions of power, God has brought down low.

And those who were humble and lowly, God has elevated with dignity. 

The hungry—God has filled with fine food. 

The rich—God has dismissed with nothing in their hands.

To Israel, God’s servant, God has given help,  as promised to our ancestors, remembering Abraham and his descendants in mercy forever.

Mary's song, sometimes known as the Magnificat, isn’t just religious; it has strong social and political overtones. It speaks of a great revolution to come. The Jews are oppressed by the Roman Empire, and to speak of a king who will overthrow the rich and powerful, and elevate the poor and humble, means God is moving toward setting them free.

Interesting factoid: In the 1980s, in Guatemala, which at the time was mostly Catholic, it was illegal to speak the Magnificat in public. That’s right; the government of Guatemala found gentle Mary’s song so subversive -- so dangerous, that they banned it. The government was in the midst of a revolution and had never been stable. They found something powerful in the way that the people were responding to the song. And they were scared.

There is power in Mary’s song. It is the power of speaking something into existence. Justice is still very much needed in places around this world, even here in America.

Now, changing our tune for just a moment (pun intended), Cody has a bit of a love/hate relationship with Christmas music. He's not a Grinch, just not a fan of the constant drone of Bing Crosby's White Christmas, played on repeat at every coffee house, local boutique, and shopping mall from before Thanksgiving through the end of the year.

Some years ago, Cody was invited (possibly forced) on a post-holiday trip to Garrison, North Dakota for the annual Dickens Village Festival. According the their website, the event turns a community of 1,500 into a quaint Victorian town from the era of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol." 

That sounds nice, doesn't it? Well, to hear Cody tell of it, not so much. It's basically all the same little shops you'd expect to find in small town, main street ND, but with the names changed to "Ye Olde..." and an English double-decker bus named "Queen Elizabus." Okay, that's a little corny. And from every speaker in town, horrendously loud Christmas music is blaring. Ugh! I see his point.


As Americans, we go a little bit nuts over Christmas. It's almost like a dream sequence. We're frenzied and running around with our blinders on. We shop until we drop, sometimes spending money we don't have. We cook and bake and candy-make the most elaborate and traditional recipes we can find. We rush around, trying to make sure every last detail is perfect. It's a bit over the top.

And when it's all over, what's left? Have we taken the time to appreciate the true meaning of the season?

Getting back to our theme of the Advent Conspiracy: Trust that it can be done. We can re-evaluate and re-prioritize. We need not get caught up in the hype of consumerism. We can enjoy the holiday without getting lost in it. It's important to remember that there are people, closer to home than you might believe, who are going without all those decadent gifts and luxuries this Christmas.

Worship fully. Spend less. Give more. Love all. That is the message we're trying to follow this Advent season. To give ourselves to something bigger than any of us... and to turn our heads, tune our hearts and worship a savior whose birth turned this world upside-down.

You're probably familiar with this Christmas carol:

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room...

Make room in your heart for Jesus this season. Make room in your life for him. Live out that joy! When Jesus shows through the hearts of the people on earth, peace and justice are lived out. Mary's song becomes a reality. The kingdom of God is in the quiet hearts of humble, ordinary people who have made room in their hearts for him.

Imagine what the world would look like if we all lived out that joy. Mary's song was just the beginning of something great. Let it live on in you.

Written by Kay Weiss, guest blogger

Sunday Summary: The Advent Conspiracy - Part 1 : Silent

Our scripture on the first Sunday of Advent was from Luke 1:5-25 (The Message) and tells the first part of the Christmas story. It's the narrative of Zachariah and Elizabeth; an elderly couple, true in their faith, who were never able to have any children... ordinary, everyday people.

An angel of God appeared to Zachariah in the temple, telling him, "Don’t fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth will bear a son by you. You are to name him John." Zachariah was in disbelief and questioned the angel, to which the angel Gabriel replied, "...because you won’t believe me, you’ll be unable to say a word until the day of your son’s birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time — God’s time."

Zachariah was silent until the birth of his son, John, the one that would prepare the way for the Messiah. Nine months of silence. Can you imagine not uttering a syllable for 3/4ths of a year?

Too often, we feel like time (especially around Christmas), flies by. There are so many things to get done: shopping, gift-wrapping, cooking, baking, running here, rushing there, making lists, checking them twice... you know the routine. January comes as a welcome relief from all the chaos. And too often, we look back and realize we've missed the joy of the season.

Do you remember how long the Christmas season was as a child? It seemed like an eternity between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Waiting for the break from school. Waiting to see all your extended family. Waiting for the cookies and candy. Waiting for the celebrations and gifts. The anticipation and impatience was enough to make you excitable and restless... and drive your parents absolutely crazy. Seriously, parents, you know it's true.

And then Christmas finally arrived... and it was everything you imagined it would be. Cody remembers it well. He talked about a favorite, childhood Christmas memory. (We're told there is a photo of this event, but it's yet to appear.) Picture this: It's Christmas Eve and young Cody, dressed in polyester, plaid, bell-bottom pants and a bright red sweater, is surrounded by the many presents he's received from Santa and his family. Toys abound and it's clear this child is very loved and possibly a little bit spoiled. And there he sits —  not playing with all his new toys — but rather, playing with and sitting in the big box they came in. Ah, the joys of childhood!

The Advent Conspiracy: Christmas was meant to be celebrated, not regretted.

We all want our Christmas to be a lot of things. Full of joy. Memories. Happiness. What we don't want is stress. Or debt. Or feeling like we missed the moment. Advent Conspiracy is a movement designed to help us all slow down, and experience a Christmas worth remembering. But doing this means doing things a little differently... a little creatively. It means turning Christmas upside-down.

The second part of our scripture picked up with Luke 1:26-38 (The Message), the introduction of the Virgin Mary. God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin who was engaged to be married. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. She was shaken by the angels appearance, but Gabriel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call him Jesus. He will be the Messiah." Mary didn't understand how this could be. The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the child you bear will be called Holy, Son of God." Then he told her of her cousin Elizabeth's pregnancy. "Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." And Mary said, "Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve."

Even at the tender age of 13, Mary understood the importance of her role. She would be the mother of the Messiah, the one for which these oppressed people had waited thousands of years. It was a scandalous tale that would challenge the ruling empire.

The Advent Conspiracy mission is about making Christmas a season of peace, justice, mercy, grace, and Jesus's revolutionary love. It is estimated that Americans spent $500 billion on Christmas 2012. That equates to about $1,000 per family. Most of that is on credit cards, many of which aren't paid off by the following year. Every year, we hear about fights, and even deaths, that occur as a result of the craze of Black Friday shopping. Is that the Christmas story God would want?

What do we want our own Christmas story to be? Over-indulgence and over-spending or helping others and becoming closer to those we love?  Let's focus that attention on worship. Let's conspire together, to shift our attention to God and turn Christmas upside-down.

Written by Kay Weiss, guest blogger

Animate! Bible Study

You've asked for it! 
But this is not a typical study…
it is video led by hipsters, scholars, and even a bishop. 

A refreshing new take on what the Bible is, how it came to be, and how we should read it --- each session encourages participants to discuss, sketch, doodle, create, and share. It’s an open-ended approach that provides space for reflection and prayer in a beautifully illustrated journal. Preview it here.

Kaylyn Stroh will facilitate this group using "Animate: Bible" material. No cost (however, a small donation to cover a participants journal is welcome). More details to come soon - we want to start right away after the holiday rush.