Vintage Church Downtown and Durham
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
-1 John 3:17-18
From Advent Conspiracy: Making Christmas Meaningful Again by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder
“Yet sometimes we purchase something in order to keep someone employed. In a desperately poor Calcutta slum where young women are often forced to become sex workers because they lack any other options, a new business is blessing that teaches these young girls to make beautiful handmade journals. Suppose you already have a journal. Do you need to buy yourself three new journals handmade by former prostitutes in Calcutta? Will that help you celebrate the birth of Christ? You might choose to buy a box of journals, but it becomes more about the girls than the journals themselves. We spend less at Christmas, except when we should spend more.”
A Few Ideas To Consider from Advent Conspiracy
- Get into the habit of asking a few more questions before spending your money.
- Develop a thoughtful approach to the histories of the products and companies who you purchase from.
- Before you start buying, consider each person on your list. Think about your relationship and what significance it brings to your life.
- Consider your core values and whether what you are buying reflects those values.
Love All
As part of our Advent Conspiracy we want to give more than just gifts. For this holiday market you’ll have the chance to shop for gifts but also “love all.” For example, the price of admission is either bringing an item off the Amazon Wish List for Layers of Dignity or by donating cash or check at the door. Vendor fees will help MOPS and the Vintage Church Women’s ministry, and some of the 15+ vendors will also be contributing to Layers of Dignity in various ways. All are welcome, and we hope you’ll invite friends and family!
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