Morton Church Putting Its Own Twist on Christmas

MORTON -- A Morton church is asking its members to do Christmas a little differently this year. It is taking part in a nationwide movement called "Advent Conspiracy."

New Life Christian Church says it's turning Christmas upside down... but what exactly does that mean?

Pastor Bob See said it's about focusing on the important things, something he feels too many people have forgotten. See said, "I think most people want to fight against the commercialism, the overspending, the frenzy, the craziness that Christmas has become, but they don't know how to do it."

See is helping his members dig deeper with a six-week series that touches on topics like how to spend less, and how to give more.

He said it's a message he wants to spread further than his congregation. "Even people who don't go to church very often, I think they want to experience something that's more spiritual and more connects with our soul at Christmas time."

New Life Christian Members are on board with this different take on Christmas. They say it's a new perspective that is not only good for them, but for the younger generation as well.

Member Dennis Sohn said, "It's not only refreshing, I think what it does it brings back the true meaning of what Christmas is about."

Member Linda Trueblood said, " I think our biggest thing is we just want them to look back and remember not necessarily the stuff that they got but the feeling they got of being part of the family."

Pastor See said of course people will still buy gifts, but he suggests making them more relational, with more meaning, rather than just picking things off the shelves.

See said, "For example, if an adult child gives their father a bag of coffee, you know good Starbucks coffee or something for Christmas but with the stipulation you can only drink it together. You know, so we can have that time together."

His hope is it will get people back to the basics of what he calls, the reason for the season.