This year, my wife and I decided to use a behavior modification tool with Sophie Grace, so we bought an Elf on a shelf. Basically, it's a toy elf that comes with a story explaining his purpose for the visit - to keep an eye on the children and report back to Santa on whether they've been naughty or nice. Anyway, it really works. Everynight after Sophie goes to bed, we move him to another location and when Sophie wakes up, she thinks that he magically flew to the northpole overnight and when he returned he sat in a different location. It's been fun watching her take it all in.
Well, I decided to post it on facebook and I was asked by someone if I was ok with telling Sophie that an elf was watching over her rather than God. You know, I get people's convictions, but as I once told a friend of my, "Your convictions are your own, and not mine." I told this person, that yes I was fine with it, especially if I have told her about Santa. I also mentioned that Sophie also hears the truth about God. She will always know about God and what Jesus Christ did for us on that cross because he loved us so much that he died for us.
This is a special time for Robin and I to enjoy. Sophie is now 3 and for the first time in her short life, she has been excited about Christmas and all that comes with it. Her childlike innoncence and imagination only add to our joy. To see her face light up is priceless. She loves Christmas. She loves decorating. She loves making christmas cookies with mommy. She is happy and full of joy. Why would I want to take that away from her. Why would I not allow her to have this fun, even if it is just for a season. Because before you know it, she will be grown up and this time will be gone.
Yes people. her joy should and does come from the LORD! We get that and so does she. Sophie and I pray together every morning and night. And every chance I get, I tell her about how her mommy and I prayed to Jesus for her and that He loves her so much and he sent her to us and told us to take care of her for him. All that to say, that Santa is for a season, but God is forever.
