My Elf on the Shelf

— Midweek Meditations:
thoughts, inspiration and encouragement
from ACF community members —

I have a confession to make: I find The Little Drummer Boy to be one of the most touching Christmas songs ever! I don’t know how this happened, but a few years ago all the sudden this song reduced me to tears, and it still does hit home with me every time I hear it. I can imagine you shaking your heads (just like I sometimes do) at my fondness for this incredibly cheesy song, but one can’t always choose one’s likings (because, after all, I’m also deeply in love with weird things like a good Rollmops-Brötchen!) But my love for The Little Drummer Boy exceeds cool hipster versions of the song and hilarious social media memes (here, here, here, …).

What really gets me about this is the notion that I am enough. The little drummer boy follows others to the manger, and, despite him not having anything grand to offer, he does what he does best. His drum solo as an act of worship gives me permission to expand my view on what I may consider as being sacred. Reading my bible, preparing intercessions for a Sunday service, donating money to good causes, typing this Midweek Meditation, taking communion… these are the things that I naturally consider as spiritual practices. They count as devotions, and line me up with kneeling shepherds and gold, myrrh and frankincense presenting wise men.

… Until the cheesy little drummer boy skips through my kitchen door over the dirty floor reassuring me that scrubbing last night’s pots & pans can be an act of worship too. And once he’s here, he becomes my imaginary Elf on the Shelf, accompanying each small deed done as act of worship with a drum roll. He points at this tiny baby, born to a very ordinary mother, sleeping in a very ordinary stable, touching my very ordinary life. If his drumming is accepted, then maybe my everyday acts are too. He helps me to consider Christ in what I do. His posture lets me notice and bring forth a certain divine sparkle in ordinary deeds and situations and see those around me with new eyes.

May the little drummer boy walk all of us through this intense, busy, loaded and most wonderful time of the year!

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The ACF Midweek Meditations
are written by a diverse group of our church members with the intention to seek God’s fingerprints in our lives. They range from somber to humorous and are inspired by all facets of live and faith. Written by ordinary people from all walks of life, they reflect a wide range of Christian backgrounds and spiritualities.

Each week’s text portrays the individual viewpoint of its author. They might not always resonate with everyone, and are not meant to be understood as representing the Anglican Church Freiburg as a whole. Yet, as a church that is aiming to ‘Build a Community of Grace’ we seek to practice learning from and listening to one another.

We pray that these humble ponderings add a small spark of blessing to your week.

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