Recycling Christmas
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The Anabaptist Network is a relational network of individuals and churches. Looking for authentic expressions of discipleship and community in achanging culture where Christians are now on the margins, we value theinsights of the Anabaptist tradition.
The Anabaptist movement began in Europe in the 16th century and, despitesustained persecution, survived and spread by migration and mission. It isnow a global family of churches and networks.
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www.anabaptistnetwork.com
by Jo Rathbone
… or, as Christian Aid in Scotland call it, ALTERnativity…
The Anabaptist vision for church is to provide a critique of the dominant modes in the culture – to affirm where things are in harmony with the gospel of Jesus, and to demonstrate alternatives where society’s values clash with those of Jesus. Anabaptists also choose not to occupy social positions of power, but rather remain at the margins, with the powerless. Christmas has, of course, become a consumer-fest, bowing low to the gods of the market and materialism, and so how do Anabaptists relate to Christmas?! By challenging that idolatry, and choosing to identify with the needs of the planet (marginalized in a consumer culture) and the needs of the exploited.
So Christmas then becomes a fantastic opportunity to go against the flow! How can we imbue this holyday with a sense that the material matters, and that our task is to ‘keep’ creation (Gen 2:15) not plunder it? How do we live in solidarity with those on the margins at this time?
The Canadian Mennonites began www.buynothingchristmas.org, and provide ideas, information, posters, and resources for youth sessions on resisting the spending spree. The Mennonites (one denomination of Anabaptists) have a long history of counter-culture protest, peace activism, and justice work. Other sites to help are www.simpleliving.org for ideas to ‘challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly’. Or visit Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping www.revbilly.com.
Whatever we do, I think we need to find others to do it with. We can’t do this easily alone. To resist the onslaught of the advertisers requires phenomenal strength of will, especially where there are smaller people involved. Although, we discovered with ours that if you don’t buy them lots of gifts from the outset, they don’t expect to receive them! Part of the power of being community is giving each other support when the mores of society are to be resisted.
One church organises a decoration swap, rather than people buying new decorations (we have the same ones every year, expanded annually by one or two fair trade or home made decorations). The girls enjoy taking the same things out of the boxes every year!
Could you offer hospitality, perhaps to local asylum seekers, or foreign students? Could your church do Christmas lunch for those who might otherwise be on their own?
Other ideas:
• Set a limit on spending
• Make your own gifts – how about some simple biscuits? Even I managed that one year.
• Only give to the children
• Give gifts of time or skills
• Alternative gifts from charities
• Reuse your wrapping paper – I haven’t bought any for years!
• Reuse the Christmas cards from last year – we stick in our Christmas letter over the messages.
• Have a bring and share party – sharing food and games
All these things are about re-engaging with our locality, strangers and friends, and our impact on the world. It is re-enchanting the material, and identifying with those on the margins, which is perhaps what Christmas is all about.