I've got a bee (or perhaps an entire hive) in my bonnet this morning. I'm hopeful/praying that one day all of this will be irrelevant, but for now, it needs a comment or two. There are currently some nonsense issues swirling around. The sooner we learn to ignore these sorts of silliness, the better our world will be! 1) Red cups at Starbucks Coffee versus Holiday Cups/Christmas Cups. In the first place, in the five previous years, the cups showed "winter" scenes on a red background. Hardly taking Christmas out of coffee. Instead of complaining, find some positive use for your energy. Enough said. 2) "_____ Lives Matter". In raising children, the best way to get the outcome you want is to catch them doing the behavior you want them to learn/do. This also applies to training dogs, leading a group of people, and I'm sure has many other applications as well. The bottom line of this Flurry of Fury is that people are feeling as if they not only don't matter, but that they are being used or misused by others. If we all treat everyone we encounter as Christ commanded "Love each other as I have loved you", everyone would know that they mattered. 3) Elf on the shelf -- I agree with the people who oppose him as good behavior being tied to getting stuff. On the other hand, I'm always up for a bit of whimsy! Especially if that whimsy is tied to faith. If I had "littles" in the house, this is what I'd do. . . I'd start planning in January for the next year. For the season of Advent, the Elf would appear in a different silly vignette each day along with a Bible verse that either tied into the theme of the day or pointed in the direction of Christmas. On Sundays, he'd be with the Advent Wreath. On Saint Nicolas' Day, he'd be in a shoe. On Saint Lucia's Day, he'd be with her crown. Each day would also include an activity -- either one for the season, or a blessing for others. Here are some examples: Samaritan's Purse Shoe Boxes, Decorating the House for the Holidays, Care Packs for Homeless, Making decorations for the Christmas Tree, Feed my Starving Children, Baking Christmas Cookies, Mitten Tree, . . . Are you starting to get the idea? I would in NO way tie him to behavior or greed. On a sort of side topic -- I think the Elf might/should have some interaction with the family tradition of setting the Creche up on the first day of Advent with the Wise Men in the farthest eastern corner of the house. Once or twice, the Elf should/could interact with the Creche scene or the Wise Men on their way. Here's the big take-away from all of this: When there is a controversy swirling near you, instead of joining in, find a way to be helpful to others instead. Always remember, that YOU might be the only example of a Christian that another person might see. Be a good one!