:: Advent Beard '09 - Intro ::

WELCOME TO THE ADVENT BEARD, 2009 EDITION
[if you're checking this out, please take a sec and read the whole post]

"The Advent Beard" started as a ridiculous little experiment which was given a test run in December 2008, by a few guys who had a few different motivations:

• We needed a good excuse for our wives to let us grow beards: a four-week season plus strength in numbers provided that excuse.
• We wanted to show, in a very practical way, the stupidity of "proof-texting," where someone wants to prove a concept, so they find a random verse of Scripture and build a theology around it: so we wrote "Advent Beard Devotionals."
• It was just a fun, different, unique, and off-beat way to celebrate the Christmas season together.

So we introduced The Advent Beard. And over the course of a couple weeks, over 65 people, ages 18 to 65+, and from New Mexico to Nebraska to Auburn, Alabama, joined the fun. Devo's were posted, pictures were taken, comments were made, and much laughter ensued.

But over the course of the Advent Season, some unexpected things happened:

• As other people saw the beards, they started making comments, asking questions, and opening the door for spiritual discussions.
• A couple growers got to explain to onlookers what Advent is, what it prepares for, and more importantly, the impact of the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection!
• On a personal level, several of us found our newly-grown stubble to be a reminder of Christ, every time we looked in the mirror - much like hunger pangs remind us of our need for God when we are fasting.
• Some growers even found ourselves staying in contact better than before, encouraging each other and sharing in good biblical fellowship.
  

Who knew? What had started as a semi-humorous way to prove some points and grow some facial hair became something that pointed to Christ: for both ourselves and others, it actually became something meaningful, and helped us celebrate the season of preparation well!

So if something is good, and fun, and points to Christ, it's definitely worth repeating, no?! When I got a text from my friend Timm, "Advent beard 2009?," it was confirmed: a second round of the Advent Beard begins today, Nov 29, the first Sunday of Advent.

AND ALL MEN, YOU'RE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO JOIN! Each Sunday of this Advent season (this week's will come tomorrow), we'll post a new satirical Advent Beard devotional on this blog, and we'd love for you to spread the word, grow your hair, and pray that God uses even your stubble for his glory. After all, "all things are from him, through him, and to him," and "all things" includes your face. So let our beards ring out with the mountains, heavens, and voices this December, in preparation of the coming Christ and echoing the apostle Paul, "to him be the glory forever, Amen!"

[*Please post below, or email me to let me know if you're in, and where you are in the world. And if any good stories come out of this, send them my way & we'll post them. Happy growing!]