“Elves, originally found in Germanic and Scandinavian folklore, were a very mysterious race from the beginning of time. Later they became supernatural beings, mainly shaped as human beings.”
Last night I came home and some members of my family watching the movie ‘Elf’, the silly and laugh-producing story of an adult sized yet childlike man who believes himself to be one of Santa’s elves. And this morning as I was walking I turned on my IPod to find a podcast called ‘First Elf’ told by a designer who had been hired to decorate the White House. The storyteller, who described himself as small-in-stature tells of standing by Michelle Obama,who we know to be quite tall, as she oversaw his designs for the various rooms that need to be decked with holiday cheer. It was from this experience that he came to see himself as ‘first elf’. Both are hilarious stories centering around these tiny, yet magical, beings.
I have to admit that I have not thought much about elves. Of course I have, over the years, read countless stories to our children that included the behind the scene work of elves. Not only have I not thought much about them, I find the ‘Elf on the Shelf’ being sold in some stores kind of creepy. This foot high doll like elf is a way of ‘keeping an eye out over children’s behavior in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. Yuck!
But this morning on my walk, I began to think about how the work many of us do in the church at this time of year is ‘elf work’. I thought about all the details that go into creating worship for Christmas Eve and this year for Christmas Day. I thought of the music that is found or written to illuminate the experience of these celebrations. And there are the words that are shaped with a certain flair to speak to a particular community or a specific intention for a service. There are all the bulletins to be created and printed to help people feel welcome and included and led through a communal ritual. There are floors to be cleaned and wood to be polished, flowers to be arranged and candles to be readied for lighting. So many little acts, behind the scenes acts, that go into creating a celebration of the birth of the Christ Child.
When the moment comes on Christmas Eve, we will not think much about these little details or who cared for them. We will, hopefully, be present to the music, the words, the candlelight, all coming together to remind us once again of our place in this precious story that shapes the faith of the Christian household. The ‘elves’ will have faded into the background as is their custom. Their job, to prepare the space so the story can be told and no one need miss a beat in its telling, is over.
When the space has been prepared by countless of now invisible hands, that is when our work begins. To listen for the angel’s song calling, not only Mary’s name, but our own as they ask us how we are prepared to give birth to the Holy in our time. To be as awake as the shepherds, and as courageous, willing to go to places unfamiliar in order to glimpse the fresh face of the Christ Child. To listen to our dreams, and like Joseph, allow them to guide our unfolding path. To offer our greatest gifts, as the Magi did, for the healing of the world and the hope for peace on Earth.
We can do this because the space has been prepared and we have been invited.
