No One Goes Away From Jesus Unchanged, As Seen on TV

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | December 28, 2012 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[NYer]

The video below is a Coca Cola commercial from about five years ago that takes up the Christmas theme of the star of Christmas.

Let us review the impact that Star of Christmas had on the wise men, the Magi.

1. The star moved them to seek meaning outside themselves. It made them look out and up.
2. The star called them beyond what was familiar in their own country and world and expanded their horizons toward Christ and His kingdom.
3. The star summoned them to seek Christ, and when they found him, to worship him.
4. The Star drew them to be generous to a poor family in Bethlehem, and to make sacrifices, as they lay costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh before the Lord.
5. The star roused them to conversion as they “returned to their country by another route” following the straight and narrow path, rather than the wide and destructive one.

Yes, it is a fact that no one encounters Jesus Christ and goes away unchanged. A blind man went away able to see, the deaf went away able to hear, the lame could walk, the hungry went away satisfied, the ignorant were instructed, the guilty forgiven, and sinners were converted.

And the call of the nations to new life and to change began with a star. And the light of the star opens the way to the Light of World, Jesus. The star of my life is Jesus.

In the commercial below we see Santa (a name which means “Holy One”) send forth a star, a star that touches people and radiates a light that transforms them.

1. A woman sees the light of that star and is able to forgive her husband and be reconciled with him.
2. A young soccer player sees the light of that star, surrenders pride and steps aside to let another player share in and get a shot at glory.
3. A young girl sees the light of that star and forsaking some of her own beauty seeks to beautify a public park for others.
4. A guard at the local museum sees the light of that star and shows mercy to the guard dog with him (this was a silly one).
5. A father sees the light of that star and permits his son a moment of growth.

Yes, there is something about that star that changes everyone who looks at it. They become more forgiving, more gracious, aware of others, more connected to others, more loving.The light of the star, and the light of the world is Jesus. And his light is meant to have that same effect and more besides.

In the background of the commercial plays an old Elvis song: Wise men say only fools rush in, But I can’t help falling in love with you. Shall I stay, would it be a sin? If I can’t help falling in love with you.

Here of course the “love” that is portrayed is not the romantic love of the song but the brotherly and agape love that Christ gives. Like the Magi of old who found Christ by the star, no one sees the star of Jesus and encounters him and then goes away unchanged. Indeed if we authentically encounter Christ, we are equipped to love, just as the people in this commercial are. We are equipped to forgive, to bring healing, to help others find strength and glory in the truth and to come to full maturity in Christ. A person who knows Jesus and has encountered him cannot help loving others, not in some merely sentimental way, but with a strong, vigorous love rooted in the truth. The same love Jesus has for us all.

At the end of the commercial there is an admonition in Spanish that translated says, Give the world the best of you. The best of me is Jesus.

Coca Cola Christmas Commercial 2008

[NYer]

Ping!

[Da Coyote]

Wonderful.

[NEWwoman]

Great find!
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