I’ve been trying to write this post for more than week and keep putting it off because I have so much to say I just can’t find the words to say it or explain it.  So, I decided to just plunge right in and I’m asking all of you to join me in an amazing conspiracy that WILL change your life. (Once you read this, if you have a blog or Web site and want to copy and paste this content, you have my permission, blessing and thanks for doing so. No need for credits – just take it and spread the word).

First, it’s helpful to watch this video because it does a much better job explaining things and it’s a really cool video:

So, you ask: What exactly IS Advent Conspiracy? It’s a movement to help us do four things to make sure Christmas continues to change the world:

1. Worship Fully
2. Spend Less
3. Give More (and give relationally, as in your time)
4. Love All

Here is the AC history: Four years ago, three pastors asked one question: What happened to Christmas? What should be a time focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus has become a season consumed with stress and debt. They created the Advent Conspiracy, a movement that encourages people to return to the holistic worship of Jesus during Christmas by pushing back on over-consumerism, giving more relationally, and supporting those who really need help. What started with three pastors is now a worldwide movement that has raised millions of dollars for charity by thousands of churches and business leaders in more than 17 countries. And it all started in my hometown — St. Louis.

So, Moms and Mommy Bloggers — I’m inviting you into the story. I’m asking you to do two things: 1) Conspire to change Christmas in your own homes and in your own communities by participating in Advent Conspiracy in your own way, small or large (keep reading to find out how);and, 2) Spread the word about Advent Conspiracy via your own blogs, on Facebook or by word of mouth. (Please send me links via comments or to lipsticktocrayons@gmail.com, so I can promote your efforts in future posts!)

I plan to offer you more information soon, hopefully a Q & A interview with one of the creators of the amazing video I shared with you, as well as some stories of people who have “entered the story” and some posts on ideas of how you can “give more” while “spending less.”  In the meantime, if you’d like more ideas on how to get involved, you can do any number of things:

• Visit the Advent Conspiracy Web site.
• Become a fan of the Advent Conspiracy page on Facebook.
• If you live anywhere near the St. Louis area and are an educator, church leader (pastor, youth leader, team leader, secretary, etc.), an educator, journalist or blogger and would like to attend an event designed to help you get started, go here. Greg Holder, the lead pastor of The Crossing and one of the people who started AC, will share more about this movement and how you can integrate it into your season planning. Plus, Albert Pujols will share his passion for The Pujols Family Foundation and how it’s making small steps for big change with children both locally and globally.
• Buy the Advent Conspiracy book (authored by those three pastors mentioned above). There also is a DVD. You can purchase both of them here or on Amazon. I’m reading the book now and even though I’m already familiar with the conspiracy and I’m already “on board” with the idea, the book is helping me form ideas in my head and helping really focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I can’t wait to celebrate the birth of Christ this year. Advent Conspiracy is helping me to embrace the holiday with my heart and I hope it will help you do the same.

So, as the video says: “This is the new tradition. This is YOUR new tradition. This is how the story gets told. Love all. Spend less. Give more. Worship fully. Tell the story of Christmas. Tell the story of the newborn King, who came to Earth, and changed history, power, humanity, intimacy, hope, everything! This is Christmas. This is our story. This is Advent Conspiracy.”

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