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Christmas Pack #1
Alternatives Christmas Campaign
Introduction to this pack
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Alternatives Christmas Campaign
INTRODUCTION
Working for simpler lifestyles through alternate celebrations
Dear Friends:
This year Americans will surrender over $12 BILLION in retail sales to commercial interests during the annual Christmas shopping spree. The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is transformed into a family oriented orgy of self indulgence. Meanwhile, a myriad of critical social needs go unmet. Are we clear about our priorities in our celebration of Christmas?
Alternatives believes that the only way to recover the true meaning of this sacred event is to 1) look clearly at what our Christmas celebrations really celebrate; 2) ask how the birthday of Jesus can be celebrated with integrity; and 3) begin this year to celebrate in new ways.
We also believe that the key for making new celebrations possible is the CONGREGATION. As the people of God gathered to celebrate what God has done and what we are called to be about, the Congregation has a critical role in changing our celebration of this Holy Day. Alas, many of our congregations are caught in society's commercialized Christmas net. It is not only in Christmas celebrations but also in the whole life of the congregation, that simplicity and clarity of purpose appropriate for followers of Jesus may be submerged in an ocean of less important concerns.
If the congregation can exercise its responsibility in calling its members to more appropriate ways to celebrate Jesus' birth and be an example in its own institutional life, then there may be hope that the celebrations of families who claim the lordship of Christ can change.
What Can Be Done
Set aside a Sunday morning service in October or early November (before Advent begins) to call for a new seriousness in the celebration of Christmas, both in congregational activities and in the families of the church.
- Call for families to center their activities and celebrations around the birth of Christ. Suggest that they covenant to divert at least 25% of the money they spent on last year's Christmas to a gift for Jesus, which should be sent to one of your denomination's programs which ministers to "the least of these." Provide opportunity in your congregation's Christmas Eve Service or the Sunday before Christmas to receive these gifts and transmit them to the appropriate agencies of the church.
- Call for a review of the Ways your congregation celebrates Christmas with a view to eliminating whatever detracts from a genuine celebration of the birth of Gods Son. Don't let the review stop there! Use this as the occasion to look at the whole of congregational life. See how the program, property and financial resources of the local church can better model the simplicity and clarity of purpose of Him who calls his followers to be servants.
Resources
Alternatives has prepared a packet of materials to assist you and your congregation in this undertaking. The contents are listed below with brief suggestions for the way they might be used in your congregation.
If you feel that they will be helpful in changing the celebration patterns in your congregation and in the whole life of the congregation, use the clip form and order as soon as possible. The commercial interests have long ago completed their plans for how you will celebrate Christmas this year. How will you celebrate Christmas this year?
How to Use the Christmas Packet
- Bulletin Insert: "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" Reproduce it and use it on the special Sunday. Encourage families to take the insert home, put it on the front of a milk container or can, place in a prominent place where money for the gift for the "least of these" can be deposited during the Advent Season. Text is below; art "Whose Birthday 1980" is in Christmas Graphics folder.
- Alternative Christmas Giving Guide, six page pamphlet
- Story of two families' experiences with alternative Christmas celebrations, explaining the rationale for an alternative celebration and illustrates both the hazards and joys of trying to find more appropriate ways to celebrate;
- Guidelines for gift giving at Christmas which are consistent with the event;
- A Christmas Cost/Analysis Form so that families can review last year's Christmas expenditures and plan for this year with at least 25% set aside for the special gift. The Guide should be reproduced and placed in the hands of each family in the congregation.
- Congregational Self Evaluation. A four page annotated form for use in reviewing your congregation's institutional life (program, property and finances) toward the end of making the congregation a better model of simplicity and clarity of purpose.
- Worship Aids. Two page sheet with Scripture passages, prayers and hymns which you may find useful as you plan the special Sunday services.
- Alternative Christmas Festival. Two page sheet condensed from the Alternatives Christmas Organizers' Manual with suggestions for how to plan an Alternative Christmas Festival in your congregation or community at large.
Additional Resources
Visit SimpleLivingWorks.org >> Archives for many free resources for children and adults, seasonal and year-round.
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