You know what makes me smile a lot? When I get emails from from people I would normally never expect who love the concept of [AC]. Recently I’ve been receiving an unusual amount of emails from atheists who love what this movement represents. Yesterday I talked with a person online who wrote me this note. She gave me permission to post it:
I love this movement, the Advent Conspiracy movement. I’ve been trying to get my family to do this for the last two years, long before I heard about this. A few years ago, I told my family that i think we should refrain from buying gifts for each other on Christmas, and instead donate the money to charity. My family all thought it was a terrible idea, and even called me a Godless heathen. (In jest, mind you, but still I found it quite ironic). For the record, I am a former Catholic who drifted comfortably into atheism some ten years ago, although I still celebrate Christmas out of family tradition. Over the years, I became more disgusted with the commercialization of Christmas and realized that it had become a Hallmark Card holiday, having little to do with the core values of Christianity and more to do with retail sales figures all wrapped up in marketable Pagan imagery. The greatest thing about Christianity to a non-believer like myself is that, even after you strip away the more miraculous elements of the faith, you are left with a central figure in Jesus Christ, who preached love and forgiveness and charity and goodwill to his fellow man. At its best, Christianity is a religion about love and peace and I believe that message is all but lost among far too many of today’s Christians. Anyway, I just want to tell you I think you’re doing a great thing and I hope that more people follow this movement. I’m going to forward this video to everyone I know who celebrates Christmas (including Christians, Catholics, Protestants and even Godless heathens like myself, still bound to the holiday by tradition)
Keep up the great work!
And Merry Christmas!
Now here’s the deal. I know that [AC] isn’t the only thing that’s wooing people back to God. I know you have stories where His love reached a person in your life in ways that is nothing short of a miracle. I just celebrate that this thing is, in its own small way, spreading the Gospel to people who have given up on God. It’s telling people that maybe there’s still hope. That maybe God isn’t finished with their story yet. That maybe the sum total of God’s grace isn’t wrapped up in a bad experience they had years ago. Will this person come back to her faith? I hope so. But I’m thankful that God gave us a small part in redeeming her story. I am personally dealing with a similar situation with a very close relative of mine. She really wants to know Jesus, but she has SO much baggage from her past. For some time I use to feel like I was responsible for saving her. I felt like I had to “sell” Jesus to her. I was so wrong. I had to step back and simply love her, and be ok with that. Is she a Christ follower yet? No. But she and I have had some beautiful conversations. That’s largely happening because I’m no longer an “on the clock” Christian with her. So here’s my challenge: This season, as you hang with families and friends who may not agree with your faith, sit and hear their story. Love them genuinely; don’t feel like you have to punch in the spiritual clock and “sell” God to them. Let God be God, and then see what happens.
Comments
Me too!!!
I’m an atheist, but I’m happy to see people doing real good for other people—whatever the reason. I’m impressed with this “conspiracy”, and I think it reflects the best traditions of this holiday season. I posted about it on my (atheist/LDS-interest) blog as soon as I learned about it from an agnostic friend’s blog.
I am a deeply spiritual person who does not subscribe to any one religion. My practice is that of active compassion. For nearly a decade I have struggled with the way in which Christmas is celebrated, not only in the US, but also in Europe. The focus of the season for many has become a matter of how many of the deadly sins a person can enact: greed, sloth, jealousy, gluttony… In my spiritual journey, of which I hold up Jesus as one of the vital prophets for humanity, I know one thing to be true - to honor Jesus is to follow his actual teachings of compassion, simplicity and charity. If there is any common chord between religions, it would be the practice of compassion, good will and simplicity. It is in these acts that we are close to the divine.
For much of the past decade I have been so angry about Christmas (not the meaning, but the practice) that I have opted out and been very much a Scrooge to the people around me. This year I decided to let that Christmas cheer back in. And as fate would have it, I found your video which I watched over and over (with tears of deep gratitude) and sent it to everyone I know.
This movement embodies the Christ-mind and with it, comes a similar out-casting that Jesus experienced. I pray for the world that Christians abandon the false lights and false prophets of the season and come back to the message of their messiah.
Bless you for the work you do. I feel hope again.
Warmly,
Blythe Dolores
Wondering if there is a way to find out which churches in our area are involved in AC?
i think every person has it’s right in believing something or someone or extremely not. i’ve heard even resume writing services done material according to the topic
Irepair garage doors Birmingham and while you might think being in the bible belt there are few AC there actually are. I was pleased to find this site.
I was a tiny disappointed to find out the desire expressed that the author may “come back to her faith” (it’s tricky getting noticed as deficient/ lacking/ in need to have of pity simply because of one’s lack of belief in God) but as being a christian web page, such a sentiment is understandable.
John @ provillus
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This is a great post!
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/member/23403/
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It`s true that we don`t must criticize atheists, we must help them to open their heart to God. I`ll write about you in my cheap essay, it`s great what you`re doing.
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I admire what you have done here. I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that this is working for you as well.
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as a fellow atheist this letter you received really resonated with me. I concur and add my sentiments to the authors.
I was a little disappointed to see the wish expressed that the author might “come back to her faith” (it is difficult being seen as deficient/ lacking/ in need of pity because of one’s lack of belief in God) but as a christian site, such a sentiment is understandable.
I honor this effort you have made at reaching out, finding the commonalities, and for your challenge to hang with family/friends who are different. (this is something I will be dealing with this season, so I appreciate the gesture.)
Cheers!