The Bell Christmas Card 2006 (the first in 9 years) is complete. The story comes from Great Grandma George. The tale was used to keep overly energetic or misbehaving children in line. But when the kids were starting to get out of line, the reminder was brought up that cardinals carried Santa’s Helper Elves on official business. So if a cardinal was near, that Santa’s elves must be close by watching and keeping a list of good deeds and bad deeds to report back to “Mr. C.” I torqued the verbiage to make it a bit more fanciful.

Then Grandma said, “Do you know why the Cardinal chose red for its color?
They are red so as match Santa’s coat. It is a sign of high respect and honor, almost like a Royal Guard. The cardinals carry the helper elves, the ones that keep notes on boys and girls all over everywhere. That is how Santa knows who is good and who has not been good. So whenever you see a cardinal, you know that one of the helper elves must be somewhere near by.”