A Gospel Alternative to Elf on the Shelf
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Looking for An Alternative to Elf on the Shelf?
I don’t blame you. We watched the movie for the first time last year and were heavily disappointed by its message. I wanted to like it. I’d heard about Elf on the Shelf a few years ago and honestly, it sounded fun. The more I looked into it, the less interested I became. After seeing the movie it was a definite no. I’ll explain more about why in a minute, but first, hear me out on one thing.
With so much focus being misplaced this time of year I think it’s really important that what we put in front of our kids is worthy of their time and attention. It’s never just a tradition or just a movie or game or toy. Holidays are an especially important time to teach our children what to value. As people who love Jesus, our values are very different from the rest of the world. Our celebration and activities should reflect that.
That is the primary issue that I have with Elf on Shelf; it contradicts the foundation of our faith and life as disciples. I think we can do better. In fact, I’m about to show you an alternative.
Why Not Elf On The Shelf?
I’ve got three solid reasons why elf on the shelf is a no-go in our home. Before we dive into those reasons let me briefly explain what elf on the shelf actually is.
What is the point of elf on the shelf? The little elf is supposed to motivation for your kids to behave well. Children are taught the elf is a living, magical/spiritual being. He is invited in the home and stays through the season to observe kids and their behavior and report back to Santa on a nightly basis. Their report determines who makes the naughty and nice list; who gets presents and who gets coal.
How do you play elf on the shelf? Each day the parents hide the elf in the home in plain sight and each day the kids search for it. There really isn’t much more to it than that. Kids are taught not to touch or move the elf. They just sit under its watchful eye. Kind of creepy.
What happens if you touch the elf? It’s taught that touching the elf without permission removes the “magic” of the holiday and keeps the elves from being able to make it back to the North Pole each night. The “magic” can’t be revived until the next day.
I have a lot of problems with the above scenario but as a Jesus-loving mama raising Jesus-loving children, here are a few foundational reasons I don’t care much for Elf on the Shelf.
Problem #1 – It missed the entire point of our Christmas Celebration.
Instead of teaching our kids about all the components of Christmas that are worth celebrating (the depths of God’s love, the hope we have in Jesus, the provisions God has made to bring us into eternity with Him, grace for every shortcoming, God’s sovereignty in the darkest moments; just to name a few) Elf on the shelf reinforces one falsehood: Christmas is about us and what we want.
The elf and the shelf movie sadly is more of the same. You don’t have to take my word for it though, judge for yourself.
As a disciple raising disciples, I can’t justify encouraging that line of thought.
Problem #2 – Elf on the Shelf cheapens the message of the Gospel.
Y’all Jesus came to Earth for the messy, imperfect, broken, stumbling in the dark, least of us. Adults and kids alike. I know we all want our kids to have great behavior, and a naughty and nice list might seem like great “motivation…” but nothing about that concept aligns with the truth of why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus being born into this world was the beginning of freedom, redemption, healing, deliverance, and LIFE for all us imperfect people. But instead of sharing that with our kids, and teaching them to appreciate and live under that covering, we pull out a mythical elf and a naughty or nice list and hang it over their heads to get good behavior out of them for a few days? No, thank you.
Problem #3 – Elf On The Shelf Makes Christmas About “What I Can Get” Instead of What God Has Given.
The single most important truth is that it’s not about us. It’s not about presents or the material things that we have made it represent; what we can get or what we can earn. Christmas is about what God freely gave. The blessing we didn’t by any means deserve but were given anyway. It’s about the grace that covers your children even if they do land themselves on the naughty list. That God-given, undeniable, irrefutable, love-laced grace.
No doubt the game aspect of Elf on the Shelf is a lot of fun. I’ve seen some really creative elf on the shelf ideas and am sure kids get a kick out of counting down to Christmas with it every morning. That’s probably why you brought it home in the first place. Thankfully saying no to Elf on the Shelf is not the end of the road. We found a really awesome GOSPEL-CENTERED replacement that I am so stoked to share with you.
The Shepherd on the Search!
What can we do instead of Elf on the Shelf? Let’s get back to the actual Christmas story. The angels appearing declaring Jesus’ birth, the wise men who went to seek Him, and the Shepherds who followed the north star. The original story is the best. With Shepherd on the Search, your kids get to be a part of that story. It is the PERFECT replacement for Elf on the Shelf.
Instead of starting the day with an elf and the goal to make it on his “good list,” your children aim to find and keep up with the shepherd boy who has heard the good news of Jesus’ birth and is eagerly seeking him.
He is literally a Shepherd searching for his Savior.
By swapping out Elf on the Shelf for Shepherd on the Search we fix two problems.
- We’ve gotten the attention back on Jesus.
- We didn’t have to sacrifice the excitement or family interaction while doing it.
Just like Elf on the Shelf, the journey starts Dec. 1st and ends on Christmas Day, making it a great advent activity and a fun way to count down to Jesus’ birth.
Click here for more Christmas story books for kids!
UPDATE: DaySpring has discontinued the Sheperd on the Search full activity pack (pictured above), but you can still follow the shepherd on his journey through Christ with the Shepherd on the Search hanging Advent Calendar (pictured below)!
What Is Shepherd on the Search?
Let me give you a quick rundown of how the original Shepherd on the search worked. When you open the activity pack you’d find the shepherd, a storybook (more accurately described as a 25-day kids devotional), and a nativity set (similar to the picture above).
The Advent storybook could be read on its own or along with the advent activities. It’s an interactive book which is great because your kids don’t have to just sit and listen; they can be a part of the activity. It’s filled with interactive questions, stories (all told from the shepherd’s point of view), scripture highlights, and some fun hands-on activities.
Each day is a new piece of the shepherd’s journey to finding baby Jesus.
This is similar to Elf on the Shelf in that you can “hide” the shepherd like you would the elf, but better than Elf on the Shelf in that it gets kids excited about the day they find Jesus. Every day they find the shepherd boy they are one day closer to finding baby Jesus in the manger.
DaySpring has recently replaced the toy shepherd with a new hanging fabric advent calendar (pictured below) that includes a small shepherd who travels from calendar space to calendar space as you count down to Christmas day.
How Shepherd on the Search Works In 3 Simple Steps
What did the Shepherd do when Jesus was born? They went to look for Him. Your tiny shepherd will do the same.
What You’ll Need:
- Shepherd on the Search Hanging Advent Calendar
- Shepherd on the Search Devotional
- Daily Coloring Placemats (Optional)
Get the devotional and coloring placemats together!
Shopping Amazon? You Can Find Shepherd on the Search on Amazon as. well!
Instructions:
- Start your shepherd in pouch 25 of the Advent calendar.
- Let the shepherd tell you about his journey through the interactive Shepherd on the Search devotional storybook. Find the devotional that corresponds with the number on your advent calendar and read away! Are enjoying this tradition with little ones? Shepherd on the Search coloring placemats are a great way to keep your younger kid’s hands busy while they listen to the story.
- Each day you’ll move the shepherd to the next space on the advent calendar and enjoy a new devotional reading.
Pro tip: Add some excitement to this small dose of family time by filling the pouch with candies, scripture notes, special notes for your kiddos to find and enjoy after you read about the shepherd’s journey.
Other Ways to Enjoy Shepherd on the Search:
Looking for an alternative to Elf on the Shelf games? Try the Shepherd on the Search cooperative board game! Help the shepherd rescue his sheep and make it to Bethlehem without falling into the trap of the crafty Snake!
Instead of elf on the shelf pets, help your little shepherds tend to their very own plush toy sheep and camel. The perfect alternative to elf on-the-shelf toys.
Remember to keep talking with your kids and about Jesus and the gift and good news He came to bring.
Check out this post for more fun ways to keep Jesus at the center of your Christmas celebration.
When it comes to celebrating, we must give glory where glory is due. As with all things, the glory in the celebration belongs to God. Our children need to see us align with that truth. Additionally as important, is them witnessing the joy we experience in uplifting and celebrating our Lord and Savior.
Elf on the Shelf can’t even come close to offering that to you. Shepherd on the Search, however; is a start.
Instead of Elf on the Shelf, try Shepherd on the Search. Here are 3 reasons why. Share on X
This looks like a really good Christmas kit! I especially love the lift-the-flaps Advent calendar.
I LOVE this!! I’ve never been a fan of Elf on the Shelf because of the deviation from the Christmas story as well as the fact that most elves seem to be getting into trouble! This is great, thanks for sharing!
I like this one and its message! The kids get an activity plus a christmas music!