Christmas is a busy period for some. In most Christian traditions it is a time of joyful anticipation and watchfulness. It is also an opportune time when the message of Christian salvation is shared in many different modes, ranging from personal outreach and street carolling to large scale musical productions.I attended one such event, a modest and admirable production. It came inclusive with a preacher sharing a personal testimony and fervent invitations to join the faith. Unexpectedly I almost laughed out loud at one particular statement. That bothered me a little.
I'm one who rarely laughs unless it's over an intelligent joke or an ironical situation. What triggered my response was "come try my Jesus for two months". Consumerist ideas may be invading religion or there could be a myriad of reasons to explain why a person might say this. Anyway I will never know and it would be counter-productive for me to pursue this track of knowledge externally.
The irony I saw was on one end there are lofty and noble things: eternal salvation, a life changing religious faith, etc; on the other end: a product with return policy of two months. I could accuse the preacher of diminishing the religion but it also showed I was sensitive to such contrasts.
Looking inwards, over the years it has been easier for me to accept the diversity of human emotions and "negative" behaviours. Now the challenges are becoming more subtle. Surely, the preacher did not intend to make me laugh. This will be an interesting investigative project ...
