Every year, parents are searching for new, creative traditions to make Christmas special for their children. Though, there’s one tradition that’s been around for years and has recently made a comeback with the rise of social media… The Elf on the Shelf.
Whether your family participates in this tradition or not, you’ve probably seen the intense pictures of hiding spots and little elf costumes on Facebook and Instagram. While it might be innocent fun for the parents and the children, one couple decided to switch it up. They wanted this tradition to point to something deeper, something more.
As an alternative to the little stuffed elf, John Helms and his wife Lindsey created the Shepherd on the Search. Helms recently told the “The Billy Hallowell Podcast” that he wanted his children to learn more about the birth of Jesus while still “doing all the fun stuff we want to do at Christmastime.”
This small Shepherd doll is on an ultimate search to find Jesus in the nativity by Christmas morning. Like the elf, the doll moves around the house each day. Helms explains that while there are similarities to the elf tradition, there are many differences.
Since the Shepherd is not considered “magical,” the parents tell the children they are moving it around the house, and they even let the children move it around, as well.
There are multiple biblical aspects that families can customize and incorporate into their shepherd search tradition.
If you want to introduce the Shepherd on the Search into your family, you can learn more and purchase the product here.
Hear the full podcast below:
(H/T: Faithwire)
Caitlin Jordan is the assistant editor for TheCourage. While she loves small towns and the great outdoors, she lives with her husband, Ryan, in the big city of Dallas, Texas. She is passionate about the importance of transparency and loving those that disagree with Christian beliefs. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
