John Lewis has captured the heart of Christmas in a way no other advert will.
Other Christmas ads will try to create in us Christmasy feelings. They will use cosy fireplaces, Christmas trees and big family gatherings to generate in us a nostalgia for Christmas past (either real or imagined). They will rely heavily upon Christmas music, jingling bells and brightly gift wrapped boxes. In this way they'll set us on a destination to the joy and delight of Christmas but instead we'll end up on a ring road. Never actually reaching all that Christmas promises. We will circle around the heart of Christmas for weeks on end until we're dizzy and sick. By the end of December we'll admit we're tired of all the tinsel and tidings. We'll switch off the Christmas music, find the slip road and drive in silence back to our usual routines. Let's try again next year, we say to ourselves.
But John Lewis in just over 90 seconds transports us to the very heart of Christmas. How? They take us straight to a father's love.
While there are Christmas trees and a Christmas party, these are in the background, its the father that takes centre stage.
As we watch, we see a man attempting to skateboard. It becomes clear at the end why he's putting himself through this suffering and grief. He does it so that he might welcome a foster child into his home. He has discovered that skateboarding is important to her so he sets about doing all he can to become like her in this regard. Why does he do this? He wants her to feel welcome in his home. Isn't that wonderful? Doesn't that grip your heart? What a sweet guy. Such is his love for this teenager that he is prepared to dedicate so much of his time to becoming a skateboarder. In just a short time we are drawn into the story.
When our tears well up (and let's be honest they do), who do we cry for? Who do we identify with? I think the power of the ad is the fact we see ourselves not so much like the dad but like the girl on the steps outside the house. Which of us hasn't felt outside. Who among us doesn't know the feeling of not fitting in. Deep down we stand like the girl wondering will we be accepted. We fear that our baggage will be too much for God. He will see our doubts, disappointments and the depth of our rebellion against Him. He will cast a disapproving eye over us and shut the door. Leaving us worse off than we were at the start. Not only an outsider but an outsider rejected by God.
Yet the advert lifts us to a greater reality. It carries us to the true often forgotten heart of Christmas. God became one of us ("the Word became flesh...") so that we could become his. He welcomes us into his family. He "carries us home".
His hands bear the scars of the cost of that welcome. But look at his face. What joy and delight shines from him. He has through his Son endured so much. He has been rejected and scorned. He has been ridiculed. He has suffered and died on a cross. Having gone through this, he now stands alive and beaming at the door ready to welcome the outsider in. The Outsider has a different name he now calls them family. We become his own adopted children. Once rejected but now accepted (baggage and all). John Lewis has captured the heart of Christmas but has Christmas captured your heart? Do you realise that it's about a Father's love? Don't get caught on the ring road, take the signs that point to the heart of Christmas.
Why not go to a local church that is running a carol service. These are easy services where you'll know the songs and churches go out of their way to make them welcoming. Follow John Lewis's directions to the true heart of Christmas.
(what follows is an advert)
If you live in or near Dromara here's a few options:
4th Dec Christmas at Cafe Hope [6.30pm] at Connect Hall (informal and fun with tasty treats)
18th Dec Candlelit service [6.30pm] at 2nd Dromara Church (with Christmas nibbles afterwards)
25th Dec [10.30am] Christmas morning service at 2nd Dromara (30 min family service where children can bring their toys to)
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