Is this the most controversial advent calendar yet?
This year (or at least this week) it’s all about Greggs-mas. The controversial advent calendar by the food-to-go retailer launches today and there are plenty of people who are not happy about it.
Contrary to what you’d expect, there isn’t a sausage roll or a Christmas sandwich hiding behind each door. Instead, there is a tear-off token that can be exchanged in-store for different treats, including flavoured lattes, mince pies and, of course, sausage rolls.
Taylor Herring/Greggs
Each calendar door also reveals a festive scene with a Greggs twist, and a particular image has sparked an uproar on social media. Last week Greggs was forced to apologise after many considered the swapping of baby Jesus for a sausage roll insensitive and disrespectful.
Greggs said in a statement: "We’re really sorry to have caused any offence, this was never our intention."
While many people saw the funny side of it...
I’m a Christian. I love Jesus. I’m not offended by a sausage roll. I save my offence for injustice, hate, exclusion, greed. #greggs
— Elaine Lindridge (@elainelindridge) 15 November 2017
#Greggs replacing Jesus with a sausage roll has got to be the best thing to happen in 2017 made me laugh out loud 😂
— Aaron Engedahl (@EngedahlA) 15 November 2017
...some took to social media to show their anger.
Fury as #Greggs' replaces 'Saviour' with savoury in #NATIVITY scene with Sausage roll. Only #Christianity could be mocked in this way. There would be an absolute outcry if a satire of any other Faith was printed as a advert gimmick in this way.Please respect all faiths equally!
— Michelle (@Michell15648645) 15 November 2017
Just telling my kids to boycott #Greggs. @GreggsOfficial
— Catholic State Crew (@LaCatholicState) 15 November 2017
Want to steer clear of the controversy altogether? Make these delicious wellington sausage rolls instead.