The evangelistic newspaper of the modern Jesus Army
2011
CHRISTMAS IS COMING
A phone company got in trouble recently after featuring a cartoon image of Jesus Christ on an advert.
The advertising watchdog received 100 complaints that it "mocked and belittled" the Christian faith and banned the advert. The phone company said it had aimed to create a "light-hearted, positive and contemporary image of Christianity".
Sadly, Jesus is often depicted as a ghostly figure, or as a kind of alien with light coming out of His head. Other images show Him dripping blood or looking stern and judgemental, or effeminate or just downright weird.
But people wanted to be with Jesus. He was kind, full of life, and one for a party. People liked to be with Him.
Do we find it difficult to think of Jesus being a cause of great happiness?
A writer told of an experience he had at Chicago airport. It was just before Christmas. The fights were delayed due to a bad storm. People were at the ticket counter demanding a projected departure time, children were crying, some people were sat vacant and staring.
Then he noticed a middle-aged black woman cradling a child in her arms and laughing. The writer asked her
"Would you mind telling me why you're so happy?"
"Sure," she said. "Christmas is coming and that baby Jesus - He makes me laugh."