Talking Jesus this year's Tickle Me Elmo?

Every year about this time we get word of toy shortages as parents scramble for the few remaining must-haves. This year, that toy might be the Talking Jesus. According to the Dallas News, the Talking Messenger of Jesus figure, a product of one2believe Toys of California, is almost gone from WalMart and Target shelves in the U.S.

Chatty Jesus relates Bible stories and scripture. WalMart shoppers were miffed earlier this season to find him stocked adjacent to another hot Christmas toy, Bratz Dolls, which are, at last reports, still in generous supply. Perhaps WalMart thought the Bratz could benefit from hearing Jesus' message?

Fortunately, Amazon.com still has a stock of the Deluxe Miracle Jesus with Glow-in-the-dark hands as well as the Jesus Christ Talking Action Figure.

In related news, Sudan teacher Gullian Gibbons is free after being pardoned from her conviction in Sudan for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Mohammed. A 'lenient' court declined to punish her to the law's full extent of 40 lashes and six months in jail.