Going from Tattling to Grace: the conversion of an Elf

From the Desk of:

Santa Claus

Dear  ------- and -----:

I do not usually write letters – though I am very used to receiving them – but I have found myself in extraordinary circumstances this year.  You may not know this about me, but the reason I began delivering gifts to children all those years ago was because I wanted to show little ones that Jesus is a gift from heaven – one we don’t deserve and cannot pay for.  But God gave Him to us anyway.  And so, I hoped my toys would remind children and their parents of the most wondrous gift of all: God’s grace through Jesus Christ.  But I have noticed that nowadays, most children only focus whether they’re “naughty or nice,” and forget about the best gift of all: Jesus Himself.  So during the summer months, I spent a lot of time thinking about how to help people remember the true meaning of Christmas (which you both know is Jesus).  As I was thinking about this, I realized that sending my elves to report on good and bad behavior does give children the grace that God gives us all.  So I decided to close the Elf on the Shelf operation.

Unfortunately, Jingle-Fapple was very upset at this news.  Shortly after my announcement, he started making poor choices and behaving badly in the workshop.  One day, after a very naughty incident, I had to call him into my office to discuss what he had done.  I asked him why he was making naughty choices and he told me that it didn’t matter if he was good or bad, that God gives everyone grace so we can all be as naughty as we want as often as we want!  While God’s grace is big enough for all of our bad behavior, we are not supposed to keep making poor choices and say, “God will give me grace for it.”  We are meant to take God’s grace, change our bad behavior, and give the grace we have been given to others who need it.  I explained all of this to Jingle-Fapple; but sadly, he has not changed his behavior.        

------- and ------, you two are consistently well-behaved, kind, and loving children.  So when I thought about what to do about Jingle-Fapple’s choices, I knew that if he spent time with you, he would see your kindness to each other and your goodness.  And I hope he would want to act like you two.  Also, I think it would be good for him to have two people, who are not from his elven family, show him grace.  Even when he is the naughtiest elf he can be.  Elvish law states that he cannot talk to you or move during the daylight, but he can listen.  So if he makes a bad choice, will you talk to him about it?  Show him forgiveness, teach him a better way to behave, and encourage him to make better choices.  And if you notice that he is making good choices (like being loving or kind), will you tell him that you are proud of him and encourage him?  I think you two can do a great deal to influence him for good. 

Thank you for caring for g Jingle-Fapple    

Your Friend,

          S. Claus