The Oslo City shopping mall has started a campaign to spur Christmas buying that they say reminds consumers of what the holiday meant, and what it has become. But plenty of people find the promotion - a large banner depicting Jesus Christ with a CD as a halo and a price tag over his head - tasteless.
Oslo City's massive banner of commercial Christ welcomes shoppers, who are not terribly impressed.
The image, 11 meters (36 feet) high, hangs over the entrance to the capital's main downtown shopping center. The giant Christ welcomes shoppers with outstretched arms , and what appears to be a halo over his head.
"To be honest I didn't react to it so negatively at first glance. It is a reminder to shoppers about what Christmas is really about, namely, that God gave his son Jesus Christ to us all," said dean Olav Dag Hauge.
What he didn't notice the first time was that the halo shining behind Jesus' head is a compact disc. This week smaller poster versions of the image are being put up all over the city, and here one can read "CDs (NOK) 149,50 ($22)" over his head, with a CD still acting as a halo.
"I think this is misuse of Jesus. They are using him to raise money for something he doesn't stand for. Showing the figure helps the church spread its message but as soon as it is linked to a commercial product it is wrong," Hauge said.
The concept failed to impress teenagers Aftenposten spoke to.
"Oslo City shows a lack of respect, especially to those that are devout Christians. He (Jesus) doesn't symbolize shopping. This is a stupid idea, and it won't get us to buy more," said 16-year-olds Cathrine Eckbo and Sandra Hansen after seeing the Oslo City campaign.
Oslo City's manager, Sturla Tune, believes the Christ image and the rest of the planned campaign, will give the mall a positive profile and increase shoppers' will to spend.
"That we show elements of what Christmas is really about is completely intentional from our side. If people stop and think about what they see, that is completely OK," Tune said, and was not worried about the reactions to Jesus with a price tag on his head.
"I think that we show Christmas the way it has become for many people. The picture shows the contrasts between what Christmas is all about and commercialism. If we can contribute to spread cheer and advertise for Oslo City, that's great," Tune said.