Unveiling the Light

Isn’t it time that we set the elves free? Every year that jolly, bearded guy gets credit for all the gifts kids get but where do they come from? Do you ever think about the poor little elves who slave away all day throughout the year to build these toys, pack his sacks, and load up that sleigh? How many of you ever left cookies out for Santa to bring back to the elves? Sure, from time to time you might remember to leave a few carrots out for the reign deer but that is probably because you fear their membership in the Teamsters. But the poor, unrepresented elves who slave away to make the gifts the reindeer carry get nothing! Let’s free the elves! It’s their time!

Actually there are elves all around us. Recently the parish had a Christmas Carnival. Santa came, kids received gifts, balloon hats, played free games and everyone had plenty of food and fun. How many do you think stopped to think about the poor human elves, those people behind the scenes who were cooking the hot dogs, preparing the sweets, running the games, and getting Santa to his big, prestigious chair! They slave away while everybody else has fun. Go to any charity event and look behind the scenes. There you will find human elves slaving away preparing food, making programs, sending invitations, decorating, running the activities, and doing all the things that allow us to enjoy ourselves. How can we let such oppression exist? Sure, many of us feign thankfulness but I know that it’s all a ploy to keep them in their oppression.

I spoke to some of these elves to help them to see the way to freedom. “Walk away,” I said. “Why are you so busy back here when all of the fun is out there? Walk away and go enjoy yourself.” They did not listen but just stared at me with a smile on their face, as if I did not know what I was talking about. Frustrated I shouted all the louder, “Go have fun. Enjoy yourselves? This is Christmas. Why should you work so that others enjoy themselves? Where are your gifts? When is your party? When do you get yours?”

They just smiled and told me that they were having fun. “We do this because we want to they lied.” I know they lied because they were working while others were playing. Can anyone stand to see others with something we don’t have ourselves? I challenged them but they just laughed among themselves. “This is fun for us. We like doing this so others can enjoy themselves. We enjoy the work, we enjoy each others company and we feel good that we can bring joy to others.” I could not believe what I was hearing. Here I was ready to help them go free and they were unwilling to see their own desperate situation. Well, surely others would see the light.

I went to the Food ministry where a large group of men, women and even children slaved away packing groceries to give to needy families. “Run I shouted. Nobody is guarding you. Go and enjoy yourselves. You get nothing for this. I am setting you free! Go and grab what you can for yourself!”

They too simply chuckled among themselves as they continued their work. “This is a work of love,” they claimed. “We do this because we want to. We like this work because it allows us to help others. Look! Strangers have brought in food and donated money so that others could have a meal this week. Still others have made it possible to give out a feast for Christmas to over 150 families. Our work makes that possible! We want to be here. We enjoy our work, enjoy the company and love helping others.”

Now I was frustrated. All these elves slaving away were so brain washed that they did not recognize their own oppression. After all, doesn’t society tell us to put number one first! Isn’t everyone on the take and looking to take advantage of others? The only thing that matters is to win! ‘The person, who dies with the most toys wins,’ is the slogan. These slaves did not even seem to be interested in more toys. They continue with their work happy and peaceful, thinking they were doing some good. They don’t even know they are oppressed. They don’t understand what freedom is!

I walked around in a terrible mood, having failed at my quest to free these behind the scenes slaves. Oh the oppression! I remembered the happy folks at the carnival, the laughter and good cheer. I remembered the looks of thanks and peace on the face of the folks who watched the elves carry their groceries to their car. I remembered the warmth of the gathering of people at the hot lunch that, incredibly, was open to all and made no demands for payment. They even served them at the table! How could these elves not see the happiness their work caused and not want to be on the other side? When would they have their party, get their free lunch or have others give them things to make their lives easier? How dare they be happy and at peace when they miss so many opportunities to grab for themselves!

I have not given up my quest. My experience has only made me all the madder and more determined. What will the world be like if more people become enslaved like this? Imagine whole communities looking out for each other and helping each other? Imagine a world where people looked out for others before they looked out for their own interests? This cannot happen! We must grab all we can now before it’s too late. Before … before … well before the game ends! What do they think they are doing? Having fun? Enjoying their generosity? Who do they think they are fooling? Who taught them such foolishness? What do they think Christmas is all about? I know better. I am going to show them they can’t get away from this! They need to get what they can while they can!

Many seem to know the One who began all of this foolishness but I can’t seem to find him. They say they know Him but I can’t see Him no matter where I look. I have not given up though! I have my tickets for the North Pole. Maybe He lives with the jolly guy. Anyway, I just can’t wait to talk to those real elves that slave away to make a bunch of kids they don’t know happy. Santa brings all of this joy to the kids of the world but what do they get? And those reindeer … I hear they work without a contract and put in long hours during the holidays? Haven’t they heard about overtime? Where are their personal days? I bet you they know they are slaves and want to be free. Who is their teamster rep?

Then I am going to find that Easter Bunny. He needs a whole new marketing plan. What is this stuff about finding new life represented by the finding of a stupid colored egg? Who thought that one up? New life! Isn’t this one enough? I wonder who decorates those eggs. Who packs his bags? When I get back from the North Pole I am going to find the hole this guy lives in and find his oppressed workers.

Then there is this stupid tooth fairy …

I. B. Grinch