Do you have an ‘elf on the shelf’ in your house?
Back in 2005, Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell coauthored a book called, “Elf on a Shelf”.
A delightful little Christmas story about Santa sending elf scouts out after Thanksgiving to keep watch on children and reporting back to Santa who was naughty and who was nice. There is a rule to having your own elf; first, you must have a tree up; next the elf must be given a name to instill the magic given by Santa, after he or she is named, you must never touch the elf, or it may lose its flying magic. If the elf is accidentally touched, the offender may write and apology letter to Santa and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on it and leave it next to the elf before they go to bed, thus restoring the magic. This whimsical book, written in rhyme, touched the hearts of parents and children alike, sparking a new American tradition during the holidays. For the parents, it was a greatly needed helper who reminded their children to behave because they were being watched. Little notes would appear from Santa warning the report that night had not been a good one, urging the children to do better. To the children, it was a source of hope that in fact Santa did care about them and intended to bring them a gift if they behaved themselves. Of course the mass marketers have deluged the market with all forms of trinkets and trash to go along with the elf legend, spoiling the innocence of the myth. Of course on Christmas morning the elf is nowhere to be seen, because his work is done for the year and he returned to the North Pole until next year, when his services will again be needed to curb the activities of the youth.
Did you know we have a watcher all year-long, who protects the children of God? Those are the people who accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. And they don’t report back to Santa, but to the Highest Power on and above the earth, God. The Bible tell us that he give his angels charge, or watch over us to keep us in His care. Have you ever been in a near accident? Was it your guardian angel keeping watch over you? No matter what comes your way, your Heavenly Father knows about it and will help you through it. I don’t know about you, but I am glad my ministering spirit does not only work a few months a year!
As parents we need to teach our children that God loves us and keeps us in his care, not just during the Christmas season, but all year-long. He watches all we say and do, much like the elf, but the Spirit of the God dwells within his children reminding them to do right.
We as writers have the opportunity to promote the true meaning of Christmas through our writings. It is hard to keep things in the perspective of what is important and what is whimsy. There is nothing wrong with whimsy if it doesn’t replace the true meaning of the Holiday, and who really watches over us all year-long.
“For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:”
Luke 4:10
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Psalms 91:10-12
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 18:10
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Hebrews 1:14