THE real meaning of Christmas has been lost in the commercial rush.

This year the church is aiming to bring it back with a controversial billboard poster which shows a classical manger scene with a striking baby Santa in the crib bearing the caption "Go on, ask him for something this Christmas".

The ingenious poster from the Churches Advertising Network, which I must admit has to be looked at a second time, has met mixed reaction from clergy and the people on the streets.

Former Crux magazine editor and curate at Christ Church, Pennington, the Rev Jan Harney says the ad should have a stop-you-in-your-tracks effect because it reminds people that Christmas is actually about Jesus, and challenges values as they think what they would ask him for. She feels "It's shocking but clever".

I like it.

The poster can be seen by the computer literate at www.churchads.org.uk</link>) or on billboards nationwide.