For many, the picture above represents Christmas Day. We get together with family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Savior, eat some wonderful food, and exchange gifts.

Edeka Group, the largest German supermarket corporation, released an ad this year that has created quite a stir on social media. Tired of being alone again for Christmas, a man fakes his own death to bring his children and grandchildren to his home for the holidays.

Now, despite the fact that this ad clearly reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie episode of “If I Should Wake Before I Die” where Amy Hearn fakes her own death so her children will come home, Edeka had the right sentiment in reminding us how important it is to spend time with our loved ones while they are with us. Every day and in every way, family must come first. It also reminds us to open up our hearts–especially this time of year–to those who are alone.

What do you think of Edeka’s commercial? Is it classy–like the 2011 Budweiser Super Bowl 9/11 Tribute commercial–or just a marketing ploy to get more people into their stores? Does it go too far: is a man faking his own death a little creepy and cruel? How do you think this event would play out in the real world? Could his plan have backfired and made his family angry? My hope is that it would have played out the way it did in the commercial.

May this Christmas season be one filled with blessings for you and your families.

When Christ came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. –Ephesians 2:17