A few years ago, after my first two years on the road, I put together a batch of songs in something like protest of the direction “devotional music” had taken. I felt that the overproduced and at times self-aggrandizing industry model had all but choked the humanity out of artists songs. So the Untitled EP was my best response to the madness. I never really expected the recording to do much, but I have found that, quite to the contrary, many of my listeners prefer the Untitled EP for its very rawness.
Similarly, a few years ago, Amy and I took a long hard look at the way we went about Christmas and promptly vomited egg-nog all over the needless crap we’d purchased for others as well as what we’d received ourselves in celebration of the poorest King who ever lived. (That made it tough to take some of the sweaters back; Apparently Macy’s has some strict “no vomit” clause regarding clothing returns… Whatever.)
Now, I could go on about the subversion meaningful Christian culture by consumer culture for pages and pages but instead, you can read it in my new book “Things I Would Have Told You For Free,” available NOW at Amazon for $19.99… Just kidding… I’ll not go on because we all know that Christmas has been hijacked and flying off course for many, many decades now. Instead, I will share more about my personal response, both as regards devotion to the One whose birth turns History back to rights and to the celebration of that Blessed Birth itself.
First, I’ve become a fan and supporter of projects like The Advent Conspiracy. This kind of philosophical revamping of Christmas has set me free to see Jesus and celebrate my fellow mankind throughout the holidays. Visit the Advent Conspiracy on this wonderful tool, the internet (sometimes mistaken for a series of tubes).
Second, in the spirit of the Advent Conspiracy, Amy and I spend several weeks leading up to (and then the entirety of) Christmas day with 1500-2500 of our city’s working poor, volunteering with a program called Christmas For Everyone… because it is, isn’t it? rather than just for those who can afford it?
Lastly, on an artistic level, I’ve taken to recording very simple versions of classic Christmas songs each year (this is year two) and either adding my own touch to the arrangement or tacking on a newly written portion; making the songs my own, shaped to my heart and mind in the way that reflects the Incarnation each song proclaims. I’ve uploaded a pair of such songs to the MySpace and Facebook pages.
Now, I don’t at all intend to shove some moralist hogwash in your face about the evil of the Market; I don’t really believe that as I’ve noted elsewhere. Instead, I wanted to share ways in which I have been practicing the “upstream swim” as one who lives in a direction that is contrary to the world I am called to live in and love. I honestly believe that the generosity displayed during the holiday season unique and beautiful; it just needs redirection and redefining. Then again, don’t we all?
I hope you enjoy the songs and hope you enjoy the nearing Christmas season as well.
![[Digg]](http://www.justinmcroberts.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.justinmcroberts.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[MySpace]](http://www.justinmcroberts.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Twitter]](http://www.justinmcroberts.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
2 songs.
2 possible responses.
#1: McRoberts, come on. You had a year. The songs are pretty much already written. Get our your little guitar and get on the ball. Er, strings. 2 songs. Pssh.
or
#2: McRoberts, 2 songs! Awesome! 2 more to add to my delightful “Justin McRoberts Playlist” and add to the Christmas spirit. (What was in that egg nog you vomited!? Perhaps you were just too much in the Spirit. Or in the spirits if you know what i’m sayin’.) I’m stoked and hope you play all 5 at the McChristmas benefit as to not disappoint my grandma.
Word to your momz (no, really, please tell her I said hey).
[Reply]
great stuff. Thanks for pointing out the AC. World Vision has a gift catalog like this as well.
God is good
jpu
[Reply]
Yes, Amy and I purchased a goat last year… a freaking GOAT! Christmas Goat!!
[Reply]
Thanks for the link to Advent Conspiracy. Those numbers – $ spent on Christmas vs. $ to provide clean drinking water for the world – are pretty staggering. I almost choked on my venti no-fat half-caf no-whip pumpkin spice latte, you know?
We’re going to Maui for my bro’s wedding (the photog in Julie’s wedding) in a couple of weeks, so spending a lotta clams right before Jesus’ b’day. It’s a natural time to have a little come-to-you know, Him, with the kids (10 & 8 yrs) about Christmas commercialism vs. what Christmas is really about. As a mom, I’ve been feeling guilty but planless about this for awhile. Maddie still believes in Santa (delusional) so I don’t want to ruin the magic, but I don’t want to overshadow the real magic.
Anyway. I don’t want to clog up the tubes, so I’ll stop now.
P.S. Will you release, in some black-market down-low fashion, your Christmas rant song?
[Reply]
Thanks Justin! I am grateful for your heart and how you tell the truth. You unabashedly tell the truth.
I was thinking last week that I was going to tell our kids to get me a cow for Christmas — but I think I want water instead. Very powerful numbers reflected in that video. Thanks for your inspiration that is real.
[Reply]
Nice post u have here
Added to my RSS reader
[Reply]