Is there not a better way to help our children enjoy Christmas without that naughty little elf who plays wretched pranks when the kids aren’t looking.? After a little research I found that “YES!” there are alternatives. Not only are the alternatives nice, but help children learn the true meaning of Christmas. I’d like to share a couple with you.

My friend Sally Methany introduced me to Jesse and Bongo through her October blog. Jesse is a fictional shepherd with a wandering sheep named Bongo. Jesse stays put, but Bongo always goes missing. Jesse’s search for Bongo leads children through activities explaining the true meaning of Christmas beginning in Genesis and going through to the New Testament.

Jesse and Bongo are the main characters in Operation Birthday Celebration – A Journey to the Manger by Angelika Martin. Ms. Martin gives ideas for creating characters from dolls or using the patterns for making your own dolls.

A google search for alternatives to the Elf on the Shelf led me to The Shepherd’s Treasure by Stephanie Parker. This shepherd goes on an interactive treasure hunt to find the true meaning of Christmas. The Youtube comments say, “On Christmas morning the children find the shepherd kneeling before the greatest treasure of all.” The Shepherd’s Treasure includes a doll with the book.

This Christmas, may we all find ourselves kneeling before the greatest treasure of all.