Christianity meets high street consumerism in Christmas ad

A trendy nativity scene will be used in a poster aimed at reminding Brits that Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas.

Christian charity Church-Ads.net launched the poster for its Christmas advertising campaign last week week.

It shows the nativity scene with “trendy twenty-somethings, designer fashion and luxury gifts”, as part of its “Christmas starts with Christ” promotion, which is now in its third year.

In the poster, the shepherds are represented by a cycle courier and plasterer. The wise men are shown as three successful entrepreneurs and their gifts are iconic ‘treasures’ of modern culture: a Swarovski crystal perfume bottle, a Fabergé egg and a replica Damien Hirst skull. All are ‘sharply dressed’.

“But the traditional nativity arrangement is unchanged, with Jesus as its clear focus,"
Mike Elms, of ChurchAds.net, said. “This year we have a very simple but dramatic idea by showing the meeting of Christianity and high street consumerism, with Christ in the middle.”

He said that, for the first time, adverts would be placed in regional and national newspapers.

The charity’s own research says that 61 per cent of those surveyed liked the message ‘Christmas starts with Christ’.

ChurchAds.net is asking churches to donate to the campaign.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has given his support.

“Only 12 per cent of adults, and only seven per cent of people aged 18-24, know the Christmas story,” he said.

“This poster is one way of showing that Christ is at the centre of the story for all people.”

The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, added: “Christmas never goes out of fashion, but it’s easy to go to the wrong party. This image points to the party host who is the real deal.”