The story of how one elf learned about Christmas

By Staff
Michelle Blaylock, Mom’s Corner
This week I have a present I would like to give to each of you. My article this week is a children’s story that I have written for you to share with the children in your life. I know time is a precious commodity, especially during the Christmas season, so I sincerely thank you for spending some of it with me.
It was the day before Christmas Eve and Santa’s workshop was a flurry of activity. Even though Santa had finally gone high-tech and used computers and the internet, he and his elves were still busy.
Many of the gifts children wanted Santa’s elves didn’t make anymore, but they ordered them from other companies. Santa’s elves still had tons to do. They had to check all the gifts to make sure they worked. They had to sort the gifts and sometimes they had to choose what gifts they thought would best suit a child, even if it wasn’t the what the child had asked for.
With all of this going on, it seemed that there wasn’t any time left for the elves to think about anything other than getting Santa ready for Christmas Eve.
Santa sat in his big office with huge windows that looked out over the hustle and bustle of his elves. He was very busy going over last minute letters and last minute emails.
He also sometimes had to help his elves with those hard decisions of what gift would be best. From time to time Santa looked out his windows and smiled.
He loved Christmas. He worked all year just for this one night. As Santa looked up, his smile faded just a bit. One young elf, Justin, didn’t seem to have the excitement of the other elves.
He was doing his work, but his eyes weren’t shining and he just seemed troubled. Well Santa loves his elves, so he left his office and went to see Justin.
Santa smiled. “Justin, you didn’t bother me. I can tell you’re upset. Please come to my office so we can talk.”
Justin quietly put down the box he was packing and followed Santa to his office.
Santa’s office was very big. He had file cabinets with catalogs of toys. He had a large desk with a computer and a printer. He had a large comfy office chair and a large comfy sofa. Santa had painted his office a cheery red with green trim. Santa also had many shelves with some of his favorite toys from years gone by.
Santa sat down in his chair and motioned for Justin to sit on the sofa. “Now, Justin, tell me what’s troubling you. I can’t help if I don’t know the problem.”
Justin looked up at Santa’s kind face, “Well, Santa I’ve noticed you try to give presents to all children.”
That questioned kind of stumped Justin. “I’m not sure, Santa.”
Justin sat for a minute and thought about what Santa had said. “OK, but Santa sometimes people give presents to each other and say it’s from you. Why?”
Justin smiled. He thought of all the kids that would wake up Christmas morning and be excited because someone they didn’t really know gave them something just because they were loved.
Justin’s eyes began to shine. Now he was in a hurry to get back to work. He felt excitement at being able to share Santa’s blessing. Now he understood why Santa worked all year long just for this night. Santa smiled as he watched Justin’s face begin to light up.
Just as he got to the door, he paused, “Santa, you know the kids get the gifts, but I think I’d rather have the blessing of giving. It kind of gives you this warm fuzzy feeling inside.”
Justin hurried out Santa’s office door and back to the workshop. His eyes were shining with excitement. Santa bowed his head, “Thank you, Jesus for allowing me to share your gift with Justin. Thank you for your gift to me.” As Santa wiped a tear from his eye, he looked heavenward, smiled and whispered, “I do love Christmas.”
In honor of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
The Blaylock Family