Plan B Forum

With the commercial clamour of Christmas growing louder over the years, Christians have often despaired of the true spiritual message of the Nativity being heard.

But a Church of England-backed campaign to raise awareness of Jesus Christ – by portraying him as a toy doll – seems to be trying to spread the word just a little too hard.

It has even led some worshippers to brand it as ‘tacky’ and ‘blasphemous’.

The image is to be emblazoned on bus stops, advertising hoardings and in newspapers in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Another poster of the Godbaby carries the slogan: ‘The Gift that Loves You Back.’ They come with the words ‘not available in shops’ printed at the bottom.

Alongside the £100,000 poster campaign, radio adverts will tell the Nativity story in the style of a celebrity chef. The idea is, apparently, to make the birth of Christ seem more ‘modern’.

Church leaders admit the controversial campaign by Christian media group ChurchAds.net, previously known as the Churches Advertising Network, will not be to everyone’s taste, but hope it will make the Christmas story appeal to the younger generation.

The Right Reverend Nick Baines, the Bishop of Bradford and one of the favourites to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury, has given his enthusiastic support.

He said: ‘It’s another strong and arresting image. It will surprise some and disturb others. Which is exactly what the real Jesus did. And it forces us beyond the tinsel to the human reality of “God among us”.’

ChurchAds.net says the aim of the campaign is to get a ‘Christ-focused’ message at the heart of ‘seasonal consumerism’. Campaigns from previous years have set the Nativity in a bus shelter and featured a Jesus baby scan.

Arun Arora, the Church of England’s communications director, said: ‘We need to be re-telling the story of Christ’s birth in ways which engage creatively and positively with the public’s interest.



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Andrew D wrote:A dear friend of mine, an Anglican (Episcopalian) bishop, likes to recall one of his trips to Hawai'i.

It was Advent, so the shops (mistaking what is actually the Christmas season) had their Christmas decorations out. The bishop paused to contemplate an esecially lavish display. Mary, Joseph, the Magi, the livestock -- everything was there. And in the creche ...

a baby Santa Claus.

all those imaginary people together, Santa, Elves, My Little Pony, Jesus, an exciting cricket team.....