Adverts for Christ
Hello again,
The Christmas TV adverts have arrived with a range of quirky messages. One supermarket presents a detective on the case of the missing pudding, an intriguing whodunnit. One has employed the Big Friendly Giant, enticing us to have a ‘big Christmas’. Another has used the services of a comedienne to play the Christmas fairy. We have Santa portrayed as a snoring layabout saved by Mrs Claus and little helpers comprising women and trans people. Kevin the carrot makes a return appearance, and animated oven gloves perform a musical number from Bugsy Malone. These ads are designed to get a response from us – to get us to spend our money in their stores.
While we are bombarded with detectives, giants, fairies, Santa, carrots and oven gloves, Jesus doesn’t get a mention. None of these ads could pass as being vaguely Christian. Where is the advert for Jesus?
Perhaps we are looking in the wrong place. Rather than looking for Jesus in a TV ad the greatest advert for Jesus is every Christian. The Apostle Paul tells us, ‘Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you.’ (2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NLT).
We are a ‘letter from Christ’ advertising him to others. Our lives are an advert read by those around us every day, and the impression we make stays with people. Does our letter recommend Christ to others? Does it make them want to know Christ more? Surely this is the response we should want from our advert for Christ.
In Christian love,
Barry Robinson
About the Writer:
Barry Robinson is a Regional Pastor for Southern England, the Midlands and Wales