For the last few years a group called Church Ads has produced a different poster each Christmas under the slogan "Christmas starts with Christ". They try to come up with an eye catching image and then provide it free for churches to use, as well as encouraging them to sponsor a prominent advertising location. The idea is that a co-ordinated effort and common image will stick better in peoples' minds. This year's image is called 'Godbaby' and features an image of one of those life like child's baby dolls. The slogan underneath reads "Godbaby. He cries, He wees. He saves the world". What is your reaction to that? For those who find it too in your face then there is an alternative slogan, "Godbaby. The gift that loves you back".Personally, I find the image a bit off putting. I think it would have been better if it had been a real baby. Surely what the first slogan is trying to remind us is that Jesus came as a real human being and lived on earth. Jesus experienced all that we do and humbled himself to become a tiny baby. Often it is this side that we forget and so the slogan that 'he cries and wees' is meant to remind us of that very human nature of Christ. A picture of a human baby would have reminded us of this much more.
I pray that this Christmas you may encounter afresh the God baby who loves you beyond all measure.
Have a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Steve
