Key Takeaways:
• Christmas has been increasingly secularized, with cultural traditions replacing Christ.
• Elf on the Shelf is fun but spiritually empty. It’s used by one-third of families but offering no biblical foundation.
• Manger in Danger gives children a Christ-centered alternative, combining excitement with discipleship.
• How a simple family idea turned into a national resource with devotionals from Genesis to Revelation.
• Parents and grandparents can use this tool to teach prophecy, the gospel, and biblical truth in a hands-on way.
• The full podcast reveals how this movement began and how it can transform families and churches.
It’s one of the biggest cultural shifts of our lifetime… and most Americans barely notice it.
America has quietly replaced the Christ-centered Christmas of the past with a commercial spectacle and an increasingly dominant figure:
The Elf on the Shelf.
Since 2005, more than 31 million elves have been sold, with one-third of American families participating in the tradition. The company behind it now employs over 100 people and generates millions in revenue.
But with all the fun and creativity the Elf provides… we have to ask a serious question:
Has the Elf become yet another way our culture shifts children away from Jesus?
In this week’s Huey Alert Podcast, I interviewed Grant and Grace Anna Castleberry—parents of five, committed Christians, and creators of a surprising and powerful alternative.
The Problem No One Wants to Talk About
As Grant explained, America hasn’t just absorbed Christmas traditions… it has absorbed a secularized Christmas worldview.
You see it in movies.
In advertising.
In school programs.
In holiday specials.
And yes—in the explosion of Elf on the Shelf.
The Castleberrys aren’t anti-fun or anti-tradition. But they are deeply committed to helping their children understand that Christmas is about Christ—truly God, truly man—born to redeem His people.
And that means something powerful:
Fun should reinforce faith… not replace it.
A “Manger in Danger” Moment
Grace Anna shared the moment it all changed.
Their daughters asked for the Elf.
She looked into it…
And felt a holy nudge:
“There has to be something better.”
That’s when she grabbed the manger from their nativity set, hid it in the house, and told the kids:
“The manger is in danger. Go find it!”
Chaos. Competition. Laughter. Excitement.
And… something deeper:
A tangible reminder that the real Christmas story is filled with danger, protection, prophecy, and God’s unstoppable plan.
This became their new tradition.
And their children begged for it again and again. 
A Game Turns Into a Movement
A year later, they mentioned the tradition on a podcast.
And instantly knew:
“This has to be available to Christian families nationwide.”
The result?
A beautifully made, durable manger designed for hiding… plus a 25-day devotional walking families from Genesis to Revelation through the story of Christ.
Each devotion is short, powerful, Scripture-based, and designed for ages 6–14 (with younger kids absorbing far more than we imagine). 
It is, as Grace Anna said, “a way to combine joy, truth and fun with discipleship.”
The Battle for the Next Generation
When I asked Grant whether parents should replace the Elf… his answer surprised me:
He said the Elf isn’t sinful. It’s fun.
But then he added…
“Elf on the Shelf has no spiritual value.
This does.” 
In an age where kids are being taught everything except biblical truth… Christian parents cannot sit back.
Children must learn the real meaning of Christmas…
The Biblical promises…
The fulfillment…
And the meaning of the birth of Christ.
Because Christmas should not be split into “fun here, Jesus over there.”
It should be woven together as one beautiful story pointing to Him.
A Vision for the Future
Grace Anna shared a powerful thought:
If this spreads…
If it reaches homes like Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child does…
If families use it year after year…
It could create a generation of children who grow up knowing the true meaning of Christmas—deeply, joyfully, biblically. 
That’s a vision worth pursuing.
Want the full story?
Watch or listen to the full Huey Alert Podcast now.
We titled it “Ditch the Elf on the Shelf? The Christmas Conversation Everyone Needs to Hear.”
You’ll hear:
• The origins of the game
• The spiritual strategy behind each devotion
• Why secularization is accelerating
• How Manger in Danger is quietly becoming a national movement
• How your family, church, or small group can use it this Christmas
ACTION: Watch or Listen Now
This is one of the most important Christmas episodes we have ever released.
Watch or listen now—and share it with parents, grandparents, pastors, and your church.
Watch the full Huey Alert Podcast episode or listen on your preferred platform.
Let’s start a movement that brings Christ back to the center of Christmas.
Incidentally, on the podcast we encourage parents and grandparents to buy Manger in Danger. You can do so by ordering on Amazon HERE or at 316 Publishing HERE or at Grant Castleberry’s radio ministry, Unashamedtruth.org HERE.
And if you use the special Huey Alert code Manger25, you’ll get free shipping and handling. (Note: when purchasing at Unashamedtruth.org, the free shipping won’t appear until you choose your shipping method as USPS.)
To watch the podcast, click the links below:
To listen only to the audio version of the podcast, click any of the following links:
Amazon Music
FAQs:
Q: Is Manger in Danger only for young children?
A: No. While the devotions are written for ages 6–14, even younger children engage deeply, and older teens benefit as well. 
Q: What if we’re starting late in December?
A: Simply begin with the devotion that matches today’s date. The program is flexible and forgiving. 
Q: Can families who aren’t strong in their faith use it?
A: Absolutely. The book includes a gospel explanation and glossary so any parent can guide their children. 
Q: Should we replace the Elf entirely?
A: Many do, but the key is this: Manger in Danger provides the biblical foundation the Elf lacks. And it restores Jesus to the center. 
About Craig Huey:
Craig Huey is the author of The Deep State: 15 Surprising Dangers You Should Know, creator of the Huey Alert, and co-host of the Huey Alert Podcast with his wife Shelly. He is a national speaker on culture, politics, faith, and the battle to restore biblical truth in America.