Displaying items by tag: Christmas advert

On 8 December the Church of England released its 2019 Christmas Advertisement, putting real-life stars at the heart of its campaign to invite people to church this Christmas. Dragons, talking carrots, and ET all vie for centre stage in the annual festive advertising bonanza. The video and digital campaign for 2019 (#FollowTheStar) tells the story of Christmas preparations at St Peter’s, Stockton-on-Tees, a church with a special ministry. Featuring in it are refugees and asylum seekers who attend St Peter’s, together with Stockton residents of all ages. The advert is backed by members of a gospel choir singing this year’s Christmas single, a new arrangement of the favourite carol We Three Kings. The campaign hopes to reach many more than last year’s 8 million through social media and broadcasts. Churches and cathedrals will display stars, hand out reflection booklets, and engage many millions more through personal invitations.

A Christmas advert by Tesco, showing a Muslim family celebrating by exchanging presents and cooking Christmas dinner, has divided shoppers. One comment was, ‘Muslims don't believe the truth of Christmas, and Tesco doesn't even have a halal turkey for them’; another, ‘The advert is inclusive and promotes diversity’. Some are crying ‘racism’, but others say, ‘It has nothing to do with racism, it is to do with religion. Christian festivals such as Advent, Christmas, Easter and Whitsun proclaim our nation’s Christian heritage’. See also