The Random Dozen meme is created and hosted by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee. She has a Mr. Linky set up if you’d like to see others’ responses or join in.

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.

I don’t care for crisp gingersnaps, but I make a gingerbread teddy bear cookie that’s soft, puffy, and chewy that I like, but otherwise it’s not my favorite flavor. Not my least favorite, either. If it is dessert at someone’s house I’d probably have some, but I don’t crave or seek it out.

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

That would be my preference, but if God wants to send one of my kids half-way around the world, I trust that He would give me the grace to handle it — and I would need a lot of grace!

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

I can’t think of any at the moment. They’re fine safely tucked in the land of make-believe.

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

Charlie Brown Christmas.

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

I’m getting pretty tired of “Sleigh Ride.” It seems like I’ve heard it too many times already.

I’ve been listening a lot to the King of Glory CD and a “generic” Irish-sounding instrumental Christmas CD.

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

Anonymously.

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

Yes, I don’t like seeing Christ’s name replaced with an “X” though I have heard an explanation that it is actually supposed to represent Christ. And I just posted about the Happy Holidays thing — I do believe in saying “Merry Christmas” because it is Christ’s birthday, but I don’t believe everyone who says “Happy Holidays” is a heathen or deserving of disdain.

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

Like performances, you mean? Two, I think. The children’s program at church a couple of Sundays ago and then our adult Christmas cantata is this Sunday. We usually have a school program and piano recital, but we don’t have any kids taking piano or choir this year.

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

It’s not likely here in SC. We only get snow once or twice a year, usually in Jan. or Feb.

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

The only thing I can remember is Barbie dolls, which I especially liked because my nickname was Barbie.

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

Two, our Sunday School party last Saturday and our church ladies’ party last Monday.

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

Prayer, and I think the church-related programs help. This year I am also reading Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, a collection of 22 reading from authors as varied as Spurgeon, Whitefield, and Augustine to John MacArthur. Edited to add: A few other people mentioned Christmas carols and hymns, and those are a great blessing to me as well.