Quick question for you: What was the one gift you remember getting for Christmas last year? Next question: What about the fourth gift? Do you remember that one? Truth is many of us don’t because it wasn’t something we necessarily wanted or needed. Spending Less isn’t a call to stop giving gifts; it’s a call to stop spending money on gifts we won’t remember in less than a year. America spends around $600 billion dollars during the Christmas season, and much of that it joyless and goes right onto a credit card. By spending wisely on gifts we free ourselves from the anxiety associated with debt so we can take in the season with a full heart.
Lectionary ReadingsReading texts: U.S. Bishops website
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2nd Sunday of Advent - Year B
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First Reading
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Second Reading
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Gospel
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Advent Conspiracy Connections
Isaiah and John the Baptist both call us to prepare the way of the coming Lord. John the Baptist looks to me like quite an anti-consumerist icon, making clothes out of camel's hair and eating off the desert land (mmm....bugs!). While John lived a simple life so he could focus on God, we don't have to live to those extremes. But we may need to make a change. Can our over-spending get in the way between us and God? Between us really connecting with our family and friends? Between us and those in need?
Preaching Example (45 Minutes)
This video shows extensive and engaging preaching on this week. It is not based on the Lectionary readings.
Public Link
Direct parishioners to: http://gospel.link/adventconspiracy2
Handouts / Inserts
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The PDF file is the best quality and smaller file size. Use it for printing or emailing:
The JPG file can be used to paste it directly in another file, such as for your parish bulletin:
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