Elf on the Shelf and Santa's Love for Jesus

So it really has been fun having a 6 year old in our home this holiday season.  It has been my goal to help create a magical Christmas for him.
We have had so much fun decorating, watching Christmas movies and we have loved the fun we have had with our Elf on the Shelf. His name is Leo. 
But I knew that early on I wanted to address the fact that even though this is so much fun having our little friend Leo here it isn't the reason for the season. 

In no way shape or form did I want our Elf or Santa to take away for the real reason we celebrate Christmas. So Santa is going to leave a very special letter tonight. 
Of course he has to address it to ALL the boys in our home . . . 

I just want you to know that you are some of my favorite boys in the whole wide world. Leo has loved being in your home and watching your family these last 4 days. He is excited that you are following the rules so he won’t lose his magic and he can stay until Christmas.

Christmas is almost here and I know that you are all as excited as I am! Every year you all have such a wonderful time with your family on Christmas and I cannot wait to see all the fun that comes this year.

I want you to know what a wonderful family you have. I know that you are filled with love for each other and I also know that you love Jesus. Did you know that I love Jesus too? He is the reason that I do what I do.

And did you know, Leo loves Jesus too and gets so excited every year to celebrate His birthday. Did you remember that Jesus’ birthday is Christmas day? Just like we love to give presents every year a very very long time ago Jesus was born and was the very first gift given to us on Christmas.

Celebrating Christmas with gifts, parties, and lots of Christmas goodies is fun but I want you to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate Jesus and the love God has for us in sending His Son for us. How amazing is that?

Have you made a Christmas list with a few things you would like for Christmas?  It’s ok to want a few things, but I’ve seen people – grownups and kiddos – get very selfish with all the stuff they want.  They want so many things that they forget the whole reason we even have Christmas….

I don’t want you kiddos to forget about Jesus as you prepare for Christmas.  I want you to enjoy all the fun – hot chocolate, singing Christmas songs, candy and presents – but I don’t want you to forget the most important present: God’s love for us and His son, Jesus. 

I don’t want you to forget that it’s still important to love others … to be nice to other people … to help other people (especially the people in your family) … to show other people how wonderful Jesus is.

So this Christmas season I have sent Leo as a reminder for you. A reminder of Jesus and a reminder to share love with others through our gifts, kind words and loving actions (the things we do for one another).

Remember  . . .

Love each other

Speak nicely to one another

Help each other

Help your friends and neighbors too

Give to people who don’t have all the stuff you have

Remember that Heavenly Father loves you soooo much

Take care of my little friend Leo – he and I talk every night about you kiddos and how you are doing this Christmas Season.

Looking forward to seeing great things and wonderful love from each of you,

Santa Claus


It is my hope that we live our lives so that we show through our actions that Christ is the center of our family, not only during the Christmas season, but all the time.  

I know that fun activities such as Santa, the elf, decorating and Christmas movies help us to create special family memories and that by giving gifts to those we love is one way we can share Christs love and allow him to be our focus everyday of our lives.