Elizabeth Hovde Nov. 20: Make the world better this Christmas

I’ve already received exactly what I wanted for Christmas: goose bumps.

Here’s where to get some for yourself. Visit www.adventconspiracy.org and watch a short video. Watch it now … before Black Friday, before buying rolls or wrapping paper and before the retail giants talk you into one-click shopping with free shipping. Then you can realize Advent Conspiracy’s full potential and impact on your holiday.

Brought to you in part by a church in Portland called Imago Dei, Advent Conspiracy is a movement, an inspiration, a reminder — a reminder that Americans are Christmas-crazy and that there are far better ways to celebrate the holiday than chasing down stuff and spending money. And you could even make the world better.

Prepare to be challenged, provoked, humbled, but not guilted. The Conspiracy you’ll want to be a part of clearly seeks to improve your life. More than just talking about America’s affluenza problem, Advent Conspiracy asks you to be part of a story that involves forfeiting some of the more frivolous fa-la-la-ing to provide time with those you care about while giving clean water to populations that don’t have it.

The organizers behind this movement are brilliant. They picked a controversy-free effort to rally behind that benefits individual Americans in the process. Who can argue with people’s need for clean water or the benefits of a less complicated, more meaningful Christmas? The World Water Council says that 1.1 billion people live without clean drinking water. And the World Health Organization reported in 2004 that 3,900 children die daily from water-borne diseases.

Advent Conspiracy’s promotional video starts off reminding us how Christmas can become a season of survival. Then it reminds us what Christmas is really about. It urges people to spend time together — to give presence rather than a sled-load of presents. But then comes the “aha” moment, asking, “Did you know Americans spend $450 billion on Christmas every year? Every. Year. Lack of clean water kills more people every day than anything. And here’s the thing,” the script continues, “The estimated cost to make clean water available to everyone is $10 billion.” Enter goose bumps. That’s $450 billion spent on Christmas vs. $10 billion to supply clean water.

Those figures are repeated by a nonprofit organization called Living Water International (LWI), a primary recipient of funds raised through the Advent Conspiracy effort. And the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, predicts holiday sales actually will exceed $450 billion this year.

Advent Conspiracy started in 2006 with a handful of pastors longing to be part of a higher purpose during the holiday season. That year, four churches gave $500,000 to build fresh water wells for thirsty populations. In 2007, more churches signed on and $3 million was given.

“Do you see where this is going?” The video asks. “What if you bought fewer gifts … and then instead of buying that gift, give something valuable like your time together. … And remember that money you didn’t spend? What if you gave some of it away to the poor, the hurting, the lonely, the hungry, the sick, the thirsty?”

Advent Conspiracy’s reminder that consumerism does not equal happiness or meaning is timely. And here are my top three tips for actually applying Advent Conspiracy’s wisdom:

n Donate to a clean drinking water project such as LWI immediately, depleting some discretionary income that would otherwise be spent on the holidays.

n Avoid stores and limit purchases. Economists won’t like this. Just last week a Seattle economics editor was in Vancouver telling people at a Columbia River Economic Development Council luncheon that when consumers go on strike, their “virtuous behavior” is actually bad for the economy. I get that. But a higher purpose calls.

n Decide with family and friends to give time and talents instead of toys and trinkets. Make simple gifts for each other; give time, make memories.

Advent season is about anticipation, preparation and joy. And goose bumps. They’re available online just in time.

Elizabeth Hovde’s column of personal opinion appears each Thursday. Reach her at ehovde@earthlink.net.