Advent — a time of waiting

• A revolution of hope
  In this time of global and national decline, economically, socially and morally, how do we take up the spiritual task of waiting this Advent? For what or whom do we hope in this season of longing?

• Being Christ in a consumer Christmas

  Christmas is God’s way of constantly reminding humanity, “In all of your joy and in all of your struggle … I am here with you.”

• Jon Stewart, the End Times, and the Season of Advent
  Terror and beauty, judgment and hope, sorrow and joy — these realities of our everyday lives reveal the paradox at the heart of life on this side of the eschaton. They are the Advent way.

• That thieving Christ and Advent
  I started thinking this week that maybe we should make Advent lists — kind of like Christmas lists, but instead of things we want Santa to bring us, we write down what we want Christ to take from us.

• Hit ‘pause’
  Advent: A gift of waiting

• Ideas for reclaiming Advent and Christmas
  From the Presbyterian Church in the USA.

• A paperless Christmas

  The Adventures of Mary and Joseph - The Road Movie & A Paperless Advent Calendar.

• Consume less. Love more. Give more.
  Just because you heard it all before does not mean you actually know it.

• Advent Conspiracy
  The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love. What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

• Put the waiting back into wanting
  Advent is one of the most significant times in the Church’s year — a time of waiting.
• Pray now, buy later
  The Advent period running up to Christmas, traditionally a time of reflection and contemplation, has been “squeezed” by consumer pressures and frenetic activity, the Church of England said at the launch of a new website to help Christians mark the season.

• Christian Aid’s online Advent resources make justice a priority

  UK based global development agency Christian Aid is offering people a “thought provoking, chocolate-free countdown to the Christmas celebrations.”

• Advent activism against the demon mammon
  It takes courage to exorcise the demons of greed that smell more each day like the seven deadly sins. But unto us a child is born … a child who has overcome the world.
• Do Nothing … Christmas is Coming
  This book turns to what, for many, is the busiest time of the year. For every day of Advent, author the Right Reverend Dr Stephen Cottrell provides short, practical steps to help us slow down, take time out — and resist the pressure of the Christmas whirl. See also an interview with Dr Cottrell.

Perspectives on consumption, Christmas and Christianity

• Have Yourself a Revolutionary Christmas

  Many of us are asking how we can “un-co-opt Christmas” from consumer culture.

• #Occupy #Christmas
  Are you tired of running around buying stuff just for the sake of buying stuff because “they” told you you had to?

• A sacrament to consumerism?
  Donald Heinz talks about Christmas: Festival of Incarnation.
• Boardgame challenges oil industry in run-up to Christmas

  Spending this holiday season challenging the might of the global oil industry might seem a little odd. But now you can at least do it from the comfort of your living room.

• 100 ways to celebrate Christmas

  South Australia ’s UnitingPeople site offers an honest attempt to help you find peace, joy and love this Christmas. There are also some fun Christmas links.

• The Fat of the Land

  It's often said that Christmas has degenerated into an orgy of overconsumption. But the orgy doesn't stop on December 26. Western binge culture is a non-stop phenomenon, with the results written on the environment and our own bodies. As obesity levels rise - along with the relentless tide of enticement to keep consuming - is it time to talk about the old-fashioned sin of gluttony?

• What to do about Santa?

  Lift up or downplay?

• We Have Met the Enemy
  Self-control in an age of excess.

• Christmas carol conspiracy

  This mischief is holy mischief. It is a divine conspiracy. It is about reminding the world that it is loved.

• Fair Trade Christmas Lists and Links

  How can we subvert systems of oppression and exploitation through our holiday habits.

• How to Reclaim Christmas in your community
  Advent was traditionally a period of penitence and quiet anticipation. But now it seems no more than four weeks of frenzied consumption in which stress, needless debt and damage to God’s creation have become its defining hallmarks. If Jesus returned in December 2010, what would he make of us doing all of this in His name?

• Confessions of a half-hearted Christmas radical

  I found myself on the wrong side of the Christmas debate and I lost. I’m still going to be driving over 2000 miles in the next two weeks to be with family. And the Christmas tree is still standing in my apartment decked out with lights and ornaments. But next year, I think I’ll be taking a page from a different playbook.

• Buy Nothing Christmas
  This Christmas we’ll be swamped with offers, ads and invitations to buy more stuff. But now there’s a way to say enough and join a movement dedicated to reviving the original meaning of Christmas giving. Buy Nothing Christmas is a national initiative started by Canadian Mennonites, but open to everyone with a thirst for change and a desire for action.
• Alternativity
  Alternativity has ideas and resources to help you explore how to take control of your celebrations and make Advent and Christmas a time of peace and joy. Its aims include taking a fresh look at the bible story and drawing out the underlying meaning and values; looking for ways in which worship can more readily reflect the reality of the first Christmas; and listening to the pressures people experience and working together to find alternatives.
• Perspectives on ‘ethical’ Christmas gifts
  If you want to help poor people in developing countries this Christmas, a fly-proof latrine or an elephant-repelling chilli hedge could be just the present to set your mind at rest.

Practical ways to make your Christmas a meaningful one

• Give back to the environment this Christmas

  Christmas is a time for family and friends, but the gift giving season is also a time of excessive waste, which can have detrimental effects on the environment.

• Act for Peace
  The aid agency's video offers an alternative to the plethora of Christmas gifts that flood eBay and landfill sites immediately after Christmas.

• Occupy Christmas
  We encourage gift giving and hope you will consider local artists, crafts people, and merchants.

• Tribes and Nations
  Make it an ethical Christmas this year … be the one to start the Fairtrade journey in your family by giving Christmas gifts with a conscience! At Tribes and Nations you can purchase gifts, hampers and consumables like coffee, tea and chocolate.

• Operation Santa
  UnitingCare and Target are asking you to join forces with them this Christmas to spread the gift of love, joy and hope to vulnerable people.
• Everything in Common: Gifts of love to a world in need
  Today as Uniting Church people we have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the early Church as we connect with a range of Partners in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Everything in Common places the needs of these brothers and sisters in Christ before us and enables us to express the call of Acts 2:44-55 to stand with those who are poor and marginalised.
• Don't be naughty this Christmas, buy nice
  A guide to ethical Christmas shopping.
• Act for Peace's gifts for peace
  Why not give a gift that will help rebuild lives?
• Gifts of Life! Christian Blind Mission
  In 1000 projects across 112 countries, Christian Blind Mission’s ministry is to help those trapped in poverty and disability. Its Gifts of Life! Christmas catalogue contains 16 “gifts” that will improve the life of a person or community in a developing country.
• Dreaming of a green Christmas?
  Environment Victoria's festive season guide.
• TEAR Australia’s gift catalogue
  Some people are weighed down with stuff. Others don’t have the essential stuff they need. TEAR’s gift catalogue is about restoring the balance.
• Partners for Just Trade
  Partners for Just Trade is a non-profit, Christian organisation that cultivates global partnerships between impoverished artisans and conscientious consumers, addressing the root causes of poverty through education, solidarity, a commitment to trade justice, and the sale of Fair Trade crafts.

• Ethical gifts, eco gifts, fair trade gifts

  Ethical gifts, eco gifts, fair trade gifts, environmentally friendly gifts, unusual gifts, culturally diverse gifts. The lucky person who receives these ethical gifts will really appreciate the care you’ve taken.

• Ethical Superstore
  In order for a product or brand to be sold by Ethicalsuperstore.com, it must have established ethical credentials in at least one of the following areas: fair trade, organic, eco friendly, health and wellness promotion or education and awareness building.

• Nothing but nets

  Forget the socks and themed ties. This year, give a present that saves lives!

• Everyday Hero Gift Cards
  Everyday Hero Gift Cards are available in $25 and $50 amounts. The holder of the card can make a donation to the cause or charity they care most about by choosing any one of the more than 450 charities that are members of Everyday Hero. The cards can be purchased from participating Australia Post Offices or online.

• The gift of goat

  The first episodes of “Missions in Action” remind us that there is but One Love and that we are to, as Bono says, “carry each other”.

• Oxfam Unwrapped
  Save the world from unwanted gifts!
• The Natural Collection
  Formed in 1999 with a vision to create a distribution platform to support sustainable innovation and ideas, The Natural Collection offers a wide selection of ecologically considered products and services.
• Christian Aid’s Present Aid
  Ethical gifts.