Christmasy Random Dozen

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.

I'm not against it, but I don't particularly care for it.

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?

Yes, but not real close. About a three-hour drive is just right!

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?

Right now I wouldn't mind having a bunch of elves!

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?

I would say A Charlie Brown Christmas,. Because it is so easy to get side-tracked by all the "stuff" and overlook what Christmas is really all about.

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?

I absolutely LOVE How Many Kings. It just about brings me to awestruck tears every time I hear it.

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only One did that for me!

And I love O Come O Come Emmanuel. As long as it's sung right. What I'm tired of? Rocked out and jazzed up Christmas carols. They are beautiful like they are. I am such a traditionalist!

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?

We love to adopt families through our church, buy gifts, etc. Our church youth group takes backpacks with blankets and personal items to the homeless, and we always donate items for that. We like being personally involved other than just dropping money in a kettle.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"

Theoretically, Xmas doesn't bother me because X is the Greek symbol for Christ. But because it has a bad connotation and you see it in store windows and ads, I don't care for it. (If I'm jotting a list and want to abbreviate the word, I'll write Cmas.) Same thing with Happy Holidays. It used to just be a catch-all like "Season's Greetings" that encompassed Christmas and New Year's and was used interchangeably. But now since it is deliberately used to replace "Merry Christmas", it irks me. Although I suspect believers get their knickers in a knot over this much more than Jesus ever would!

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?

Public schools don't have Christmas programs. But I attended two "Winter Concerts" and both were last week - my girl's Orchestra Concert and her Choir Concert. And yeah, they played and sang Christmas music!

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?

I wish I were dreaming of one, but there's simply no point.

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.

No pics for this one. One year, when I was about 8 or 9, I couldn't decide if I wanted a REALLY BIG present (which meant I would probably just get one gift) or if I wanted a WHOLE BUNCH of smaller presents. There wasn't anything particular I wanted, but I'd always thought having a REALLY BIG gift to unwrap would be fun. But I loved opening presents and hated the idea of having just one thing to unwrap. When Christmas arrived, there was just one present, a REALLY BIG one, for me. When I opened it, I discovered the box contained a bunch of individually wrapped presents! At the time, I just thought it was so cool that I got both of my wishes. But as I grew up, I realized what an incredible thing that was for my mom to do. I was the youngest of four kids, and I can imagine the time it took for my mom to get all our gifts wrapped. She went to a lot of effort to please me.

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?

Two, and both were last weekend.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?

Music that focuses on the why and Who of Christmas.



More folks have linked up with Lid at 2nd Cup of Coffee, so go see their answers. Better yet, join in!