I never expected to hear that Greggs the bakers would have to apologise for its sausage rolls or rather for a promotional image of one featured in an advent calendar. But that’s what’s happened. It shows a nativity scene with three wise men gathered around a pastry instead of the baby Jesus, and it seems to have caused a bit of a stir. I realised that last week when I received an email asking me to complain about this act of ‘depravity’ and ‘blasphemy.’

Now as I see it, Greggs were certainly pretty thoughtless. Knocking religious symbols and images can prove more than upsetting, it can be counter productive too as those who have drawn cartoons of the Prophet Muhammud have discovered in the past. And Jesus experienced the fury of the devout too when He dared to correct their understanding of the Sabbath and criticise their behaviour in the Temple. Religious feelings can run pretty deep, and any perceived attack can unleash powerful emotions especially when the religion in question feels threatened. And many a Christian in the UK feels like that today.

I’m not sure how much of my reaction can be put down to personality but I have to admit I don’t panic when people knock my faith or appear to mock Jesus. As I see it, He’s far too big for that. Blasphemy and ridicule are upsetting, but Jesus endured far, far worse. He was accused of being mad for example, and it was even said that He was a blasphemer Himself. It’s why they had Him put to death after all. But He ‘took it on the chin’ and allowed Himself to be executed. He knew it would all be pretty futile because He would come back to life again.

And so rightly or wrongly, I have not been in touch with Greggs. I would much prefer to do what I am doing now: talk about the Jesus who continues to attract tens of thousand of followers every day. Marxist governments and secular atheists have failed to remove Him from the picture so why should I worry about a flaky pastry?

Sadly, far too people know the fact of the Christmas story as the Greggs photograph so clearly shows. Who says there were three wise men for example, and why do we assume the Magi found him in a stable? Does the Bible really tell us that?

As I see it, we are faced with two big problems in Britain today. There are churches that fail to share the story and there are unbelievers who are too indifferent or antagonistic to check it out. And that means millions of people are missing out on the best offer the world has ever had.

The Christmas story assures that that there is a God and that He loves us so much that He was willing to go to any lengths to ensure we enjoy life to the full. And unlike Gregg’s pasties, it will cost us nothing because He’s an unbelievably generous God.

In other words, we can experience forgiveness, enjoy the presence of His Spirit and live in the hope of resurrection, and all for free. Given all this, I know which offer I would prefer to promote.

Rob James is a Baptist Pastor broadcaster and writer who currently operates as a church and media consultant for the Evangelical Alliance Wales. He is available for preaching and teaching throughout Wales and can be contacted at [email protected]