The Elf on the Shelf has been all the rage these past few years and the families at our school seem to have caught the fever. During free play in the morning the children chatter excitedly about elf names and activities. One child's elf was hanging from the ceiling fan, one hiding in the lamp. Most of the elves are well-behaved creatures but a few have some naughtiness coursing through their impish bodies.
One elf (who shall remain nameless) spilled a bag of flour all over the kitchen and was making snow angels! My little friend explained that even though the elf was naughty sometimes, they loved him anyway. As I relayed this story to mom at pick-up she said they are using the poor behavior of the elf to teach grace to their children. These children are learning that God loves us even when we make mistakes or don't deserve it.
Although I never had the pleasure of an elf at my house, I do have a close personal friend who is a real elf. I'm not sure I'm permitted to discuss this but . . . Mrs. Davis is an elf!
One elf (who shall remain nameless) spilled a bag of flour all over the kitchen and was making snow angels! My little friend explained that even though the elf was naughty sometimes, they loved him anyway. As I relayed this story to mom at pick-up she said they are using the poor behavior of the elf to teach grace to their children. These children are learning that God loves us even when we make mistakes or don't deserve it.
Although I never had the pleasure of an elf at my house, I do have a close personal friend who is a real elf. I'm not sure I'm permitted to discuss this but . . . Mrs. Davis is an elf!
For the past several years Nora Davis has been a volunteer on the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad's Polar Express. After teaching young children during the day she magically transforms into her elf self and hops aboard the train with Santa in the evening. She helps serve cookies, reads to the children and makes sure everyone on the train leaves with happy memories. Sometimes she gets home very late at night and has to quickly change back into human form for school the next morning. If you look very carefully, you can see a special twinkle in her eyes and the remnants of glitter in her hair.
As adults it's too easy to get caught up in all the fuss of holiday preparations and miss the magic and wonder and grace. Whether or not you have an elf at your house, may you find some magical moments with your little one this season. The cleaning and cooking and decorating and baking and wrapping can all wait. Take a deep breath, find your sweeties and cuddle on the sofa. Read the Christmas story and share a favorite childhood memory of a Christmas past.
Most importantly, remember the gift of love that was held in that stable manger and the hope it still provides for us today.
Cheryl Hoover is the Director of Northampton Christian Preschool in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
