Advent Conspiracy: Can Christmas Still Change the World?

by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, Greg Holder

Worship More, Spend Less, Give Presence, Love All Are you tired of how consumerism has stolen the soul of Christmas? This year, take a stand! Join the groundswell of Christ-followers who are choosing to make Christmas what it should be―a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us, not a retail circus that depletes our pocketbooks and defeats our spirits. Advent Conspiracy shows you how to substitute consumption with compassion by practicing four simple but powerful, countercultural Worship Fully―because Christmas begins and ends with Jesus! Spend Less―and free your resources for things that truly matter. Give More―of your your hands, your words, your time, your heart. Love All―the poor, the forgotten, the marginalized, and the sick in ways that make a difference. Find out how to have a Christmas worth remembering, not dreading. Christmas can still change the world when you, like Jesus, give what matters most―your presence.

Genres: Christian, Christmas, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book and thought spring would be a good time to read it. I wanted to distance myself from Christmas so I could spend some time processing the points and planning for next year. I have to say that the marketing team for this movement did a good thing with the phrase "worship fully, spend less, give more, love all." The only problem is that it left this book to be little more than a long brochure for the movement. I didn't find much that sparked much more thought than the phrase I just mentioned. I also thought the chapters weren't well divided. The chapter headings looked like they would give good new information, but it was just the same points and types of personal testimonies all throughout the book. So while I'm behind the movement and think it is a great idea, I would have done well to read a brochure instead of the book. But at least it was a quick read.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real challenge to every Christian to turn Christmas into what it really means by refusing to buy into the commercialism and greed. If Christmas gifts were scaled back to what people really need and not just a present that costs "x" amount depending in the degree of relationship, we could free up some of the money we overspend and do something good for people who are really in need. This church challenged itself to bring water to poor countries that have no safe water supply. They made gifts of time and relationship to loved ones and used the money they saved to change the lives in third world villages by drilling wells and providing a safe water supply.

This is not a book to just read once and put away. It has to read it again and again and to understand how this can be worked out. After I got into the book, I realized that I should have read it at the beginning of Advent and not two days before Christmas; however, I decided that I would try to keep the principles in mind throughout the year and look more carefully at my spending and to put aside the money I saved for Christmas giving.

[Robert Irish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book and watched the videos with a group looking to think differently about Christmas. In the end, I found it pretty shallow. Their assumptions about the demographic reading the book is that everyone is middle class (maybe upper middle class) and that we're all spending to excess on Christmas.
The four concepts are straightforward as a call to reclaim Christmas from commercialism: worship fully, spend less, give more, love all. These aren't bad, and are obviously designed to be memorable and actionable. However, there lies the problem. If you aren't deeply in the thrall of an over-commercial Christmas, it doesn't really offer much. Sure, they're saying flip your gifts into giving. Give your presence not presents, etc. But none of these are things that offer me any move from where I already am.
The opening chapter on "worship fully" actually doesn't seem to get the idea of worship, and suffices to say, if we don't focus on the commercial, we're bound to find the spiritual. It's not that easy in my experience.
So in the end, it seems like a nice idea, and for some it may offer a revolution/revelation, but it could have been so much richer, deeper and more significant.
I think that in the end, the thing I liked the best in the whole thing was a comment in the video, where Rick McKinley was commenting on people complaining about not finding the Christian message at the mall: "Why do we expect the mall to proclaim our story?" It was a great antidote to all the "remember the reason for the season" people who seem to expect secular culture to proclaim the Christian Messiah. Sounds foolish as soon as you say it, and McKinley called it out nicely.

[Lindsay Duffy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting. When I checked out the audio book from library, I thought it was a book explaining what Advent is and why it is important. I excitedly picked it up since this is my 1st year celebrating Advent. (Which is something I decided to do after 1. hearing a secular Jew who converted to Christianity explain why he celebrates it and 2. my grandfather passed away. ) The audio book is 2 hours long. Which was perfect since I needed something to listen to on the way up for Thanksgiving (and a book about Advent too!) This book was a major letdown for me. It's basically a two-hour sales pitch for this ministry that digs wells for 3rd world countries. The description on the audio book didn't match what I got. I think that's my biggest complaint about the book. (And since I checked out the audio book, I wasn't able to skim through the pages to see what the book was really about.)

I do agree with the statements about how American Christians are too caught up in consumerism and materialism. I believe we should donate to ministries. However I firmly believe that we should do that all year around and not just at Christmas.

[Carolyn Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3. I've been bothered lately by how busy my Advent seasons have been with stuff not related to Christ. My "to do" list for this time of year is filled with gifts and decorating and baking. It was really actually easier when my kids were younger. We would start December by going to an activity called "Experience Bethlehem," a walk-through that a church put on that was really meaningful, and we were involved in Christmas events at our church. Now that my children are adults and we have different work schedules, I am finding it much more difficult to focus on Jesus throughout the season. Weird, right? Maybe because I am not so intent on making sure my children are focused on Jesus. So this book was a good reminder to work harder on that, pray more, shop less, and seek out ways to remember why this is such a special and important season. There was nothing new in the book, and the authors were focused on supporting building wells in Africa (which is an awesome cause), but I thought there could have also been a bit more focus on making a difference in your community also.

[Ricky Balas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with a number of other reviewers here that mention how the audience is too narrow in scope. If you are an upper middle class American Christian who struggles with materialism, then yes. Otherwise, it came off as a bit harsh on gift giving and and other secular Christmas traditions. I'm all for making the season less commercialized and more Christ-centered, and the authors make some really good points throughout, but I can't say it is the best work I have come across this year.

[Paul Herriott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for churches across America. This books speaks to the guilt that many feel in the commercialization of Christmas, and provides suggestions for some practices that help to reject the indulgent self focus of our culture.

[Kami Mauldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for remembering what Christmas is all about. Christmas is mostly all about consumerism. This book shares ideas on how to put other people first your holiday spending. It’s very short and to the point. A great reader for anyone looking for more meaning in the Christmas season.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Eye-Opening! Heart-wrenching! Change the focus of Christmas for GOOD!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide followed throughout Advent to turn Christmas into a more meaningful holiday founded on the love of Jesus and not on the commercialism that permeates Christmas.

[Christina Neely · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great idea

[Michelle Hart · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I was hoping for. This isn't a 'book', it's a large pamphlet and doesn't really dig deep.

[Taylor Demonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Really hits the message of the true meaning of Christmas!

[Ashley Farrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read for Christmas to remind us what the reason for the season is. Really made me stop and think about how America celebrates

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting back to the heart and true meaning of Christmas!

[Jeff McLain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book review of Advent Conspiracy, released in 2009, by Zondervan. Though organized like a book, more than an engaging read, Advent Conspiracy is a resource for leading small groups, sermon series and discussions as part of the Advent Conspiracy Movement. This book was written by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder.

The Advent Conspiracy, as a movement, was started when the authors realized how much we – as followers of Jesus - miss it (or God’s heart and example) every year at Christmas. They share that the story of Christmas has now become “consumption and consumerism.” As a result, the world is missing out on “the prophetic mystery of Jesus’ birth,” a birth that “means missing God-with-us, God beside us- God becoming one of us.” As the authors began to lament and discuss the way they, as pastors, felt like the Christmas story was being undermined and missed, they launched an experiment to try and invite their churches (and other churches) into the nativity story as participants. That invitation to the nativity story started with a question, “Can Christmas still change the world?” and this experiment looked to answer that question locally and globally, by finding ways to consume less at Christmas, but make an effort to share the reigning goodness and good news of God more with our neighbors and hurting world. Their experiment challenged participants to see how the story of Advent reminds us to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all. The book not only tells the story of the movement, but also stories from the movement (stories of Christmas still changing the world locally and globally), and this book serves to resource small groups, sermon series, and discussions around the Advent Conspiracy movement. As a resource, this book challenges the narrative of consumerism and consumption that has taken over Christmas, undermining and disconnecting us from the story of how a liberating and simple hope, peace, love and joy came within our reach.

This read challenges us to replace material presents with the gift of presence. It gives us an invitation and challenge to give more of our time, talents, love, and ultimately of ourselves. It calls for us to push back on the dominant culture of our day, and to “refuse to be defined by our culture.” Through the Advent Conspiracy, we are reminded that “the story of God’s Son entering our world is the point of our worship and celebration each Christmas. Because of his great love, God moved into the neighborhood and now we have hope.” It also helps us realize that “God is still moving into the neighborhood! The Incarnation isn’t about only the one glorious moment in history when Jesus walked this earth – it’s also about a God who still wants to make an appearance in this world through his followers.” By being co-conspirators of the Advent Conspiracy, we realize “the Advent of Christ is an opportunity to declare to the world that God has given us the greatest gift. Advent Conspiracy exists to help the church awaken, realign with God’s movement, and worship Jesus wholly at Christmas – and thus be transformed by the God of Advent.”

It was over a decade ago that I first encountered the Advent Conspiracy. Since experiencing it in a small Vineyard Church in Lancaster Pennsylvania, I realize that this series not only changed how our family celebrates – and sees - Christmas, but it also has become an invitation that I have led as a series in several other church contexts of various theological backgrounds. Over the years, I have read this book several times – though I am just finally getting around to reviewing it. As a book, Advent Conspiracy is an easy read, thought-provoking, but not overly intense or revolutionary. As a book it is a simple invitation and challenge to become aware of how we celebrate Christmas and to test if how we are celebrating Christmas – as followers of Jesus –is really changing the world, and being an effective co-conspirator of the first Christmas story.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd to be reading a book about Christmas when it is 91 degrees outside, and summer has only just begun, but I have been meaning to get through this one (which wasn't hard: it's very short).

Last year I watched the documentary What Would Jesus Buy? and loved it. I have, for some time now, thought that Christmas has become the exact opposite of what it is supposed to be. Peace on Earth? Good will toward men? Screw that! It's the Shopocalypse! Nearly every person I know, during the Christmas season, is stressed out, upset, and generally spending too much money on too much crap that almost no one wants or needs. It is amazing to me how much kitsch Christmas entails nowadays, and now that I have little kiddos, the sight of them tearing through package after package, tossing one aside to rip into the next, is just depressing. Don't get me wrong: I am very grateful for the generosity that our families shower on my daughters, and I know that opening presents if a fun part of childhood. At the same time...it is hard to watch.

So The Advent Conspiracy asks a simple question: why do it? Why participate? Just like after I watched the documentary, I find myself challenged to step back from something that is so culturally entrenched that people don't give it much thought at all. How much to we spend? How much waste do all these presents produce? What's the true cost, not just the price tag? And, more than anything else, what is it, exactly, that we are celebrating?

This is the thing: Jesus was born to an unwed, teenage mother in the shit end of an incredibly violent empire, among the poorest people on the planet, into a society that had been conquered, and was being exploited, by Rome. His birth, according to Christianity, was to be good news for the poor (the least, the last, and the lost), and his place of birth (poor, oppressed) shows that God doesn't much care about wealth or riches. God cares about those who few others care about...and so should we.

In any event, the Advent Conspiracy asks individuals and churches to spend less money, give more personal gifts (not store bought, necessarily), and to share what you would have blown on tacky, useless Christmas gifts with those who have nothing. That's what Jesus would have wanted. That's what we are supposed to do with the good news of Jesus' birth. The book has a simple, and moving message (as did What Would Jesus Buy?): just stop, think, and give.

One of the most powerful scenes in the documentary came when a woman--a Chinese Christian who had been imprisoned and forced to work in a factory 18 hours a day making Christmas lights for Target--spoke. She said that the only thing that kept her soul alive was imagining that the lights she made would be a part of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Can you imagine? This poor woman is a slave so that we can buy cheapo lights at Walmart and illuminate the giant piles of crap that we neither want or need at Christmas time. I can't seem forget her story.

So this holiday season, I am opting out of the Christmas Industrial Complex. The gifts that I give are going to be thoughtful and personal, not just "Oh we need to get so and so something!" We will also give a large chunk of what we would have spent to some poor person who, at Christmas, will learn who and what Christians are supposed to be in this world.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tired of the consumerism of Christmas? "Advent Conspiracy" is an outside-the-box way to refocus our attention and energies on worshiping God fully, spending less, giving more, and loving all. Instead of having a Christmas that caters to materialism, why not have a Christmas that can help change the world?

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The message around Christmas seems obvious--worship fully, spend less, give more, etc.--and yet most of us are so caught up in the consumerism of Christmas, despite what a cliche it is! It's what most people talk/complain about every year, how we have too much, our kids have too many presents, we barely remember what the season is about, blah blah blah, and yet we do little to change it. There's nothing novel here, but I appreciated the 3 authors really making an effort to change our mindsets a little. It changed mine and made me really where (and how much) of my money was going to things that people didn't really want or need. We all have too much, and there are plenty of people with too little. The authors aren't saying to not buy presents, or give everything away, but spread the love beyond your family circle, as Jesus would do. Remember what the season is about. That's always a good message, as cliched as THAT can seem.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents a different mindset for Christmas with more focus on worship and love, and less on commercialism and spending money. This makes much more sense to me because most of what we buy for people is done with little thought and it ends up in a closet or a yard sale before too long. I believe that intentional gifting is a much better way to go. This book advocates using 25% (initially) of your gifting budget to give to a charity. Their favorite seems to be Living Water which provides clean water wells in 3rd world countries and would be a worthy cause. There are also many other charities that would benefit greatly if the majority of people did this. Of course, this book is geared towards Christians who believe in the birth of Jesus and the Biblical story of Christmas. It's a short book and a quick read. I highly recommend it to anyone who is searching for what's missing from our modern day over-indulgent Christmas celebrations.

[Adam Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept in this book is amazing. I'm thrilled by the conspiracy and what these churches are trying to pull off. The main thrust is that at Christmas we should be worshiping fully, spending less (on consumeristic stuff), and giving more (in meaningful ways and to people who desperately need it). It's all great. The book is not. It's not very well written and the concepts aren't thoroughly explored. It feels more like a pitch piece (which I guess it is) than a good book. I would have loved even a sermon transcript more than this. So skim it, take the lessons (they're great!) and then be done with it.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for our women's Bible study in December. It was written by 3 authors, one of which is the pastor of my church. It discusses a concept of celebrating Christmas in a different and more biblical manner instead of buying into consumerism and getting lost in our current traditions and culture. Christmas should be about giving more but spending less, not going into debt for all the "perfect" gifts and helping others. We have been doing Advent Conspiracy for 3 years now and the book was helpful to clarify some of the concepts and to go deeper on the themes.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminder to spend less, give more and worship fully this Christmas season. The book encourages us that spending money on gifts just to have more gifts misses the purpose, Jesus's gifts were all intentional. Spend more by giving your time because that is relational and worship fully through everything you do to make the spirit of Christmas a lifestyle. If you are tired of dreading the holiday season and find yourself more concerned about what you are getting instead of giving then this might be a book you should read this year. Loved it!!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I really like Chris Seay and his church Ecclesia so I assumed I would like this book. I still love the concept and will be looking to the website to get ideas for how to "Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All" this coming Advent. However, I could have done without the constant nagging advertisement for Living Water International. It's a great charity and all but it's not the only charity out there! If the authors had given more diverse examples of how to translate the concept into the readers' lives, this book would have been much more engaging.

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, quick read. Nothing special in terms of writing style, but the concepts and content are good. Premise is basically to make your Christmas more meaningful and less about consumerism---but it doesn't call for this in a overly critical (no "stop buying gifts you materialistic capitalist slob!") way. Rather, it calls for small changes: spending more time in relationships, putting real thought into gifts, giving away more to those who need it, etc. The "motto" for the Advent Season presented in this book is: Worship Fully. Spend Less. Give More. Love All.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different way and a challenge to think about Christmas. Why not live different? This book challenges the reader to spend less by creating relational giving (made, not bought, or something the individual needs as a single item) and giving more (time, money to necessary charities) and worshipping fully during the advent season instead of rushing to find a gift and finish in time to be exhausted and unable to enjoy the day. Only downfall is that only one charity option is given as a possible reception for giving. I wish the author would have given a few more choices.

[C. Christopher Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an essential one; one that North American churches must prayerfully read, discuss and reflect upon this Advent season, and in so doing, we will continue to be transformed further into the image of Christ and thus bear witness to the love and reconciliation that has come in Christ for all humankind!


Read my full review in THE ENGLEWOOD REVIEW OF BOOKS

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH how this changed our perspective on Christmas. We always said Christmas was about Jesus' birth-- but did our actions, as far as spending is concerned, show that? Did we really need all of those gifts? This has changed Christmas for us-- into something so much more joyful! Get ready to be challenged if you read this book.

[Steve Comstock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a fan of this program for some time now and finally got the chance to read this book, but was a little disappointed. At times it seemed like it was trying too hard, at other times convicting, still other times it seemed like a sales pitch. Really great concept that could have been presented better.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book spoke to me about relational giving versus the consumerism that has become Christmas. It was very apropos for this time of the year and provoked my thinking about how I personally celebrate Christmas.