“Oh You Better Watch Out!”

                                   

     

It was while we were visiting family in Michigan during the first week in December, that we first met “Caroline,” a small elf dressed in a red suit who happened to be sitting on the table by the telephone.    

     Caroline had mysteriously showed up at the home of our daughter and son-in-law early that morning. Supposedly, she had magical powers so that every evening she would disappear and then in the morning turn up in a new spot somewhere in the house. Where did she go each night? Back to the North Pole, where she would give Santa a full report of everything that happened during the day.

     “We never know where Caroline will turn up though,” related Shanda, our daughter, in a serious tone, just in case her two youngest boys, Nate (5) and Elliot (3½) were listening. “Nate and Elliot have to find her each morning.”

      Of course the little boys were excited when they found the elf in various places around the house. They were somewhat aware of her presence during the day, although there were times when they forgot she was watching and goofed up a bit…woops!

      It was the first time Al and I had heard of the “elf on the shelf;” however since then we’ve learned that she or he has visited the homes of many of our friends and relatives with young children this year.

      The story of Caroline the elf reminds me of the famous Christmas song written by Haven Gillespie and John Coots in 1934, “Santa Claus is coming to town.” Many of us grew up with these words ringing in our ears as the big day drew near:

“You better watch out
  You better not cry
  Better not pout
  I'm telling you why
  Santa Claus is coming to town.”
       Al’s childhood home in a suburb of Detroit was heated by a coal furnace. He remembers having coal delivered to the house by a big truck and dumped down a chute near the furnace, which was in the basement. As Christmas approached, his parents would warn him that he’d better be on good behavior or Santa would leave him a lump of coal instead of presents!

     “So did you ever get a lump of coal in your stocking?” I asked him. Apparently he never crossed that somewhat nebulous line of behavior and always received an outpouring of gifts on Christmas morning.

         Some of us still live as though we might be dropped from God’s graces if we do the wrong thing. However, Jesus came into the world to save us from all of  our sins—past, present and future—and give us eternal life, a gift which is freely given out of God’s grace and received through faith.  Christmas is the celebration of the good news of that amazing gift of love. Let us rejoice!

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2: 10-11 NIV