Before you check out or moan or cheer, I have a confession: I personally LOATHE behavior modification tactics like this. However, I love the imagination and magic of this season. So how and why did we turn Santa's Spy to an Agent of God's Grace?
Jinx, which is the name our kids chose for the elf, was sent here by Santa from the North Pole to stay with us until Christmas Eve night. He is a really good elf that sometimes makes some troublesome choices for Santa and his workshop. Santa really feels like our family will be able to help Jinx by showing him God's love and grace when he makes mistakes and teach him how to make good choices. Jinx will also learn about Jesus and the story of His birth and why we celebrate Christmas. The great part is, Jinx will be learning all of this from our kids.
Our kids will daily identify Jinx's choices if they are good or bad. Then they can demonstrate the correct response on how to handle Jinx and his choices with God's grace. The awesome effect of this method of doing Elf on the Shelf, is my kids can grasp their own choice making ability because they are not only learning it but teaching it as well.
My kids believe that Jinx only moves around when no one is watching, usually while they are sleeping. Just think Toy Story. This allows my 3 yr old son and 2 yr old daughter a chance to grasp the fact that even if we don't see Jinx making a bad choice, God does see and is ready to forgive and help Jinx make better choices next time. Just like God does for us.
I will thoroughly enjoy Elf on the Shelf this year! I certainly don't condemn any parent that uses the Elf tactic for modifying behavior. It is no different than using Santa's nice or naughty list because when I was a kid, this method did not work on me. If I had an elf, I would have kidnapped or hid him so he would have nothing to report to Santa. Yeah, I was that kid.
So whether you like the Spy for Santa or the Agent of Grace, make it magical and wonderful. Create memories that you talk about every year. Maybe even allow mistakes and create opportunities for grace. Isn't that the gift we all want anyway?
Here is the introduction letter from Santa to my kids (if you care to read it, steal it, or mock it):
Hello Gideon, Selah, and Rhema!
I hope you are doing well!
Christmas is coming soon, and I have a lot of work to do at the North
Pole. I talked with your mommy and daddy
about a special elf friend of mine. His
name is Jinx, and he is getting into trouble in my workshop. He is a really
good elf, and I love him very much, but sometimes he just makes bad
choices. He needs someone to help him
learn to make good choices like: praying, cleaning up his toys, brushing his
teeth, listening and obeying, and doing what’s right even when nobody
sees. Since I am so busy getting ready
for Christmas, your mommy said that you would be willing to help keep an eye on
him for me, and teach him about Jesus, and how much he loves us, even when we
make bad choices. Can you do that for
me? I’m counting on you!
Let me tell you a little about Jinx. When you are looking, he stays really still,
almost like a toy on Toy Story. But,
when you are not looking he comes to life, and moves around. His favorite time to play is at night, when
everyone is sleeping. He is SO
silly! I bet he will love visiting with
you, because you are all pretty silly, too!
When I come to your house on Christmas Eve, I will pick up
Jinx and take him back to the North Pole with me. So, he can only stay until then! I hope you guys have a fun time
together! If it all goes well, maybe he
will come back next year at Christmas time.
Thank you! I love you all!
Love,
Santa
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