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Have you heard about a new Christmas tradition involving some mischievous elves that play pranks on the family? Parents buy the stuffed elves for their children and while the children are sleeping, the elves “mysteriously” do things such as toilet-paper the living room, hide in a different spot or switch around the kids’ toys. Children wake up each morning of Advent and run around the house to see what trouble Santa’s elves have been up to overnight.

Sure, it seems harmless enough but it also seems like one more thing to detract from the true meaning of Christmas – for parents and children alike. All the energy spent on scheming elf pranks (not to mention the fact that these stuffed elves aren’t cheap) in order to see the wonderment in kids’ eyes could be better spent thinking up ways to bring the wonder of Christ back into Christmas. There’s no better present children can receive than this.

Here are some ways for families to prepare our hearts and our homes to receive Christ this Advent and Christmas:

  • Light an Advent wreath nightly and have family members take turns reading Advent prayers and Scripture.
  • Keep an Advent calendar to count down the days to Christ’s birth.
  • In addition to decorating a traditional Christmas tree, create a Jesse Tree, an Advent custom that represents Jesus’ family tree.  Through symbolic ornaments that are hung on the tree daily, children can learn salvation history from creation through the birth of the Messiah in a fun, understandable way.
  • Go Christmas caroling as a family at a nursing home or in your neighborhood. Yes, people still do this! Make it a point to sing religious songs and teach children the real meaning behind songs such as the Twelve Days of Christmas that have veiled religious themes.
  • Tell children the stories of St. Nicholas, the legend of the Christmas tree, and the tale of the fourth wise man to inspire in them the true meaning of giving.
  • Throw a birthday party for Jesus. Serve birthday cake and sing Him Happy Birthday. Prepare religious games and activities and ask guests to bring toys for needy children in lieu of gifts for the Guest of Honor.
  • Invite children to choose one (or more) of the new toys they receive at Christmas to donate to a child in need.
  • Make donations to your favorite charity as Christmas gifts for your family and friends and invite them to do the same for you.
  • Keep an empty crèche under the Christmas tree or in your nativity scene. Ask family members to write down on little slips of paper whenever they perform an act of kindness for another and place them, folded, in the cradle. On Christmas day, a statue of Baby Jesus can be laid down in his crib, cushioned by the family’s good deeds.

Advent is a time of expectant waiting, but children need to be taught that it’s not Santa Claus we’re waiting on. Maybe we parents need to be reminded of this, too.

What is your family doing to celebrate Advent and prepare for Christ’s birth?

Comments from readers

Angelique Ruhi-Lopez - 12/14/2011 01:57 PM
Thank you all for your comments! The elves and Advent traditions were also the subject of a Radio Paz show yesterday led by Lucia Luzondo, director of the Family Life office. It's important to remember that Advent and Christmas are already full of miracles and wonderment that children of all ages can enjoy. As parents (or teachers, godparents, friends, etc.), our job is to teach children about these gems of our faith in an accessible, fun and enjoyable way so that they do not need to look to alternate secular traditions to bring them Christmas "magic." It can feel intimidating sometimes but let's trust the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide us. If anyone else has any fun and creative Catholic Advent traditions, please feel free to share them here. May you have a blessed Advent and a joyous Christmas!
aerlim diaz - 12/14/2011 08:28 AM
Just yesterday, I was talking to a mom in my son's school about the "elf" tradition. Being raised in Cuba, we were not big on the santa claus tradition which I now find it to be a blessing. I am blessed that my children are beign raised in a religious school and are constantly reminded of the true meanting of Christmas and the true life and meaning of St. Nick. Thank you for the article. I will make sure to pass it forward and Merry Christmas!
Nydia Detrell - 12/13/2011 07:47 PM
Awesome Angie! Love your message; it is inspiring to all, even if there aren't children at home. Many blessings.
Sonia Draper - 12/12/2011 08:43 PM
Wonderful! I can attest to the fact that you truly LIVE what you preach!
I am very proud of you!
Tery - 12/12/2011 12:38 PM
THANK YOU ANGELIQUE!!!!
Over the last few years, I have resisted the peer pressure for bringing the �elf� into our home, since so many kids seem to have them. I agree it's harmless and the kids have a good time...and I am in favor of kids having a good time. I know of many parents that are doing a beautiful job giving to their children selflessly through the storyline of that elf. But frankly, I'm not that creative! I wish I were, but I'm not. St. Nicholas gives me foundation and creativity for the magic of Santa Claus with my kids. But not an mischievous elf...I already have a dog for that... I really don't need any more creatures added to Christmas that need to be fed, cajoled, disciplined or kept secret!
I am enjoying Advent so much this year in the Advent prayers, coloring and decorating with my kids, and discovering each day how they see Christ in others, and how they are �preparing� for Christ themselves. I've no time for a prankster elf, that is.. unless he does housecleaning.....
Lenny - 12/12/2011 11:53 AM
Excellent! Going to forward to the MEV/MIV community. All parents should be informed. Its these new Christmas traditions that slowly erode the meaning of Christmas under the banner of "Harmless Fun". Thank you for the article. God Bless you and your family.
Lilly Rangel-Diaz - 12/12/2011 11:42 AM
Wonderful message Angie! I am going to forward it to the parents in my Firsth Holy Communion class and to all my Emmaus sisters in Christ from my parish. God bless you and your family abundantly this Advent Season and always, with much love,
Conchita Diaz - 12/12/2011 10:37 AM
Great message, it needs to be published in other venues so it can be read by more parents.

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