Advent Conspiracy

Can Christmas still change the world? The Christmas story is a story of love, hope, redemption and relationship. So, what happened? How did it turn into stuff, stress and debt? Along the way the best story in the world... has become a story of what's on sale.
Let’s conspire this Advent to change the way we celebrate Christmas! During the Sundays of Advent, we will focus on four simple ways to worship fully, spend less, give more & love all.

Worship Fully

Because Christmas begins and ends with Jesus
This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season to release our burdens and lift a song of praise to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated. Entering the story of Advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.

Encounter Jesus this Advent by…

• Using the Little Book, an Advent daily devotional. Available in the church lobby.
• Slowing down a bit...even for just 10 minutes a day...to reflect on where Jesus is present on your path.
• Spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It’s open every day.
• Receiving the sacraments weekly: Sunday liturgy, add a daily liturgy, reconciliation on Saturdays at 3:45 or come to our Advent communal reconciliation service on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00pm.​

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Spend Less

Feel less stress and free resources for things that matter to Jesus
What was the one gift you remember getting for Christmas last year? What about the fourth gift?
Do you remember that one? Truth is many of us don’t because it wasn’t something we necessarily wanted or needed. Spending less isn’t a call to stop giving gifts; it’s a call to stop spending money on gifts we won’t remember in less than a year. America spends around $600 billion during the Christmas season, and much of that is joyless and goes right onto a credit card. By spending wisely on gifts we free ourselves from the anxiety associated with debt so we can take in the season with a full heart.

Consider this…

• Use the Christmas Gift Challenge and give:

1. something they want
2. something they need
3. something to wear
4. something to read

• Make a donation to a charity in honor or memory of a friend or loved one
• Give the gift of your time or an “experience” with friends or family

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Give More

Give relationally to offer one another presence, rather than merely presents
We know what you’re thinking. “Wait, didn’t you just say I should spend less, and yet here you’re telling me to give more? What gives?” The most powerful, memorable gift you can give to someone else is yourself. And nobody modeled this more than Jesus.

So what could this look like for you...

• Tickets to a ball game, the theater, a day trip to a museum or local festival
• A movie, game or puzzle night
• A road trip up the coast with a picnic at the beach
• Christmas concert and dinner on December 15 at Padre Serra

​The main point is simple: When it comes to spending time with those you love, it’s all about quality, not quantity.

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Love All

Love the forgotten, the poor, marginalized and sick in the ways Jesus asked us to
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. It’s not that there’s something wrong with the shopping mall—it’s that the better story is about loving all.

Be a disciple this Advent by your gift of time or treasure to...

• Your favorite Parish or Ministry, Angel Tags, St. Vincent De Paul, RAIN Transitional Living, Life Centers, Catholic Charities, St. Mary Magdalen School, St. John's Seminary or a local food pantry, homeless shelter
• Cancer or other medical research and awareness organizations
• Parish youth ministry, youth organization or pet rescue

​Whatever it is, wherever it is you can be Jesus’ disciple by being Jesus for others.