Thanksgiving is upon us and it’s time to gather with loved ones. We will give thanks and eat too much turkey. Well, we will probably eat too much of many delicious foods and desserts…am I right! Our culture will then turn to the Christmas holiday and it starts with Black Friday. Next to follow is lights, trees, gifts, parties, family, friends, and busy insanity. The consumerism of Christmas has blinded our society of the real meaning of the season.
The season is called Advent. It starts the 4th Sunday before Christmas which is November 29th of this year. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The incarnation of Jesus, as recorded in the gospels of Luke and Matthew, is the greatest gift the world has ever seen or been given. He came to us not to judge us but to offer us everlasting life. Unfortunately, our culture has blurred and in many cases removed this waiting, preparation, and celebration of the birth of our Savior.
Advent Conspiracy is an international movement that started in 2006 centered taking back or bringing a deeper meaning to Christmas during the Christian season of advent. The movement is characterized by its four founding principles: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. It is a season to celebrate our King, love others and put some of the financial resources God has given us to worthy causes. Quest is committed to this by taking the offering from our Christmas eve service and using 100% of it to help somewhere in the world. We have helped with the Syrian Refugee Crisis, victims of Typhoon Hyian in the Phillipines, and the poor in Haiti. This year we have decided to go back to Haiti with the monies raised from the Advent Conspiracy offering.
So, I encourage you to make this advent season a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the worship of the birth of Jesus. Also, to love one another because of the love of Jesus you have in your heart.
Peace,
Steve