Mid-Day Recap (Tuesday 12/20/16)

Bible Trivia Question:
What happened to Zacharias when he failed to believe the angel who came to tell him his wife would become pregnant?

- He became a cripple

- He was struck with leprosy

- He was struck mute

- He was struck blind

In the News:

Elf on the Shelf: Could it make your children paranoid?

"Elf on the Shelf" is the new Christmas craze sweeping parents and children across the globe. Starting in the US and becoming a new popular tradition in the UK as well. The original Elf on the Shelf is based on a book of the same name, is designed to improve kids’ behavior by encouraging them to stay on Santa’s "nice list".

However, some psychologists warned the idea of Santa sending a scout to watch over children could actually be harming and cause anxiety. If the idea of an Elf send by Santa himself could add to the magic of Christmas, some child experts warned that the concept could also cause fear and shame in children. Dr Katherine Edward, a chartered and clinical psychologist, said the elf might prevent children from learning from their own mistakes.

What do you think?

#elfontheshelf #christmastradition

More:

Completed your Christmas shopping yet?

Here are some Christmas shopping statistics (in the U.S.):

- Average Christmas expenditure on gifts: $752

- Average amount spent on Christmas cards: $29.14

- Amount of Cyber Monday shoppers in the U.S.127million

- Average number of holiday gifts expected by U.S. consumers: 13.9

- Percentage of U.S. consumers buying gifts online: 50%

(statista.com)

Matt's Musing: #musing

If at first you don't succeed... look in the trash for the instructions! #musing

Special Note:

Today is “Go Caroling Day”. Tune in this afternoon around 3:45 and 5:20 as Andy invites Dave and I to join him in singing a Christmas carol… just for you. Yeah, this could be interesting.

Matt's Pick Song:

“Carol Of The Bells” by Southern Raised

Bible Trivia Answer:

He was struck mute (Luke 1:20)