In Friday’s RNS report Greg Garrison talks to Mercy Me keyboardist Jim Bryson about the band’s Christmas plans. The group has a new Christmas recording out and will also make a national TV appearance on ABC’s Disney Christmas special on Christmas Day.
A spiritual “Magic Elf” can guide you through Advent, according to an article by Kristen Campbell: At first glance, your confusion can be forgiven: He’s an elf! He’s an angel! He’s Santa Claus! The Magic Elf, 12 inches from the bottoms of his pointy green boots to the top of his faux-fur-rimmed stocking cap, depicts all three in one. He has the Santa beard, the elf get-up and the angel’s wings. It’s a lot to take in. What’s more, The Magic Elf isn’t just another Yuletide knickknack. He’s designed to serve as a sort of interactive Advent calendar and to help teach children about the religious meaning of Christmas. Unlike typical, chocolate- or picture-filled cardboard calendars that likely spend all of Advent in the same spot, The Magic Elf flies-with the help of a parent-around the house each night and lights in a new location. Every morning, from Dec. 1 through Dec. 25, children search for him and his message about Christmas’ significance.
