Random Dozen #16 on the 16th

Today's my fabulous mom's birthday. And her post is coming up next, but first, a little random dozen ala 2nd cup of coffee:

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss. For. Does this really need much discussion? Especially in cute gingerbread man form.

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family? Let's put it this way. I live upstairs.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed? Buddy the Elf. Or George Bailey. But only if I could be his wife Mary.

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life? It's A Wonderful Life. Because it really is you know.

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of? Bruce Cockburn's Mary Had a Baby and Seabird's version of Joy to the World. I can't think of any that I'm tired of, mostly because I usually just listen to what I really like.

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime? My most favorite way was in college when we would have a christmas party at the BSU for children less fortunate and we would adopt a few for the day and buy them gifts and have Santa come and all the fun stuff. Those were great parties and I wish I was involved in something like that now.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?" Tha thing about Xmas is that X stands for Chi in Greek and Chi stands for Christ, so the way I look at it is that even when they try to take the Christ out of Christmas they can't. Which is way cool. Happy Holidays doesn't bother me too much because in fact there is more than one holiday celebrated this time of year (from Thanksgiving, to Christmas to New Years), but I still say and will always say Merry Christmas.

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month? None. We aren't having one this year at my church and I don't have plans to attend any others. I wanted to see the Behold the Lamb of God concert but I wasn't able to go this year.

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality? Yes! And I say there's always a chance but it hasn't snowed here on Christmas in more than 20 years so who knows. But two years ago we got a little snow the day after Christmas (as I recall it didn't stick). Maybe we could all say a little prayer?

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice. Well since you asked, I have to tell you about the time Santa Claus came to our family christmas party. It wasn't so much what we received as it was who brought the gifts. My Nanny set it up and no one (not even my aunts and uncles) knew he was coming. And as he handed out our toys he knew little tidbits about us that made us sure he had to be the real Santa. It was one of the most awesome family christmases ever.

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month? Hmm. I think four, no wait, five. One for work, three for family (two this coming weekend and one on Christmas eve) and one at church. That's a lot of partying.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas? Reading the story of Jesus' birth every year, keeping up my quiet time and this year I am starting Beth Moore's book 90 days with Jesus the week before Christmas.