Time for another Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for the questions!
1. Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2023 is ‘rizz’. Hmmm…before today had you ever heard the word? Do you know what it means? (Apparently it’s short for charisma) Have you ever used the word? If you were in charge of the world, what word would you declare word of the year for 2023?
I have not ever heard that word before today and I did not know what it meant. It sounded more like a nickname for a person to me.
The first word that came to my mind to declare to the world is REPENT! Our world is in a mess.
2. What’s one word you tend to abbreviate in your writing or speech? (as in rizz for charisma)
I’m drawing a blank here except for FYI. It probably will become clearer when I read your answers to this question.
3. Are you a Hallmark movie watcher this time of year? What’s your favorite character from a holiday- themed movie, book, or TV special?
We do watch some Hallmark movies. Because I’ve had to think so hard and long to come up with a favorite, I don’t think I have a favorite. 🙂 I enjoy the Christmas specials in ongoing series like Call the Midwife or All Creatures Great and Small.
5. What’s the most stressful part of the holiday season for you?
Over the years the stress has decreased because I’m learning to adjust my expectations. Those adjustments have made things less stressful. Sometimes it is hard to admit that I am the one causing the undo stress and I’m the one who needs to adjust. I need to remember to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart.
Getting the Christmas letter/photo/cards out probably has the most time/deadline stress.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I’m reading a Christmas Advent Devotional these days leading up to the 25th of December. The writer is covering several Christmas Carols/Hymns/Songs, some very familiar ones and some not so familiar. On Day 12 this was the song that was covered, written by Jester Hairston in 1956.
Mary’s Boy Child
Long time ago in Bethlehem so the Holy Bible say, Mary’s Boy Child, Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day!
Hark! Now hear the angels sing: “A New King born today, And man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day!
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say, That man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day!
While angels watched their flocks by night They saw a bright new shining star, And heard a choir from heaven sing the music came from afar.
Now Joseph and his wife Mary came to Bethlehem that night. They found no place to bear her Child, not a single room was in sight.
Hark! Now hear the angels sing: “A New King born today, And man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day!”
By and by they found a little nook in a stable all forlorn. And in a manger cold and dark Mary’s little Boy Child was born.
Hark! Now hear the angels sing: “A New King born today, And man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day!”
From the devotional:
A memorable line, repeated four times, is this: Man will live forevermore, because of Christmas Day.” It seems rare for a carol to emphasize eternal life, but this line is ‘spot on’. If it weren’t for Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection, there would be no eternal life for any man, woman, or child. Among the many things that Christmas means, this is not the least–Christmas means we can have eternal life!
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Wonderful Ellen and I enjoyed the photo of you with hubby looking on from the kitchen. It made me smile! We will be having an almost identical meal.
Denise, thank you!
…many of us seem to love developing stress particularly at this time of year. ☃️ 🎄 ❄️ 🎅🏼
I sang that song in my head while I read it. 🙂 It’s one of my favorites. And yes, it’s the very reason we can have eternal life!
Is that Yorkshire Pudding in the pan you are holding? I’ve never eaten it before. Cute picture of you!!
Good eye! Yes, it is. Thank you!
I agree so much of the stress we feel is of our own making. There are so so many distractions this time of year, which makes it hard to focus on the real meaning of the season. Ours feels simpler this year without the kids coming home, and I am embracing the simple. Yay for Yorkshire pudding : )
Cute photo! I love your house it’s so cute and the kitchen too! My word for 2023 is going to be HEALTH. I know that’s not the same as the word of the year, but it will be my word. We got your card and letter! Thank you! Sending you love and warmth! – Katy K
Hi Katy K! How fun to see you here on my blog. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know you did! Love to you, too.
I can hear Andy Williams sing that song in my head, but I can’t find it on any of my tapes of his…
Hi Donna, Good ole Andy Williams. I do have a couple cd’s by him. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. 🙂
I’m impressed with your yorkshire puddings. Well done.
Thank you, Lauren.
Never heard of the word rizz.
I’m not big on the Hallmark movies – they are just a bit too predictable.
I’d love to have one of those Yorkshire puddings.
No stress here at our house. We are very low key.
Karen, Those movies are so predictable. I’d rather watch a murder mystery!
That’s a great photo of you. Enjoyed your answers
Those are the poppingest Yorkshire puddings I’ve ever seen!
Here’s hoping they are successful again this year! Thanks for stopping by.
I enjoyed reading your answers to the questions today, Ellen. Your Yorkshire Pudding looks absolutely beautiful. I’ve made them before but they weren’t nearly as pretty as yours. 🙂 And I understand totally what you are saying about realizing that you were the one causing the stress because of your expectations. I’m so guilty of that…which is one reason I was determined to make things different this year and it’s been such a relaxing and peaceful time. Thank you for sharing the hymn and the quote from the devotional you are using for Advent. May I ask what the name of the devotional is?
Hi Dianna, The devotional was produced by Canyon Hills Community Church in Bothell, Washington and it was a handout for anyone who came to services there. It was adapted from the work of John Peterson at Montage Bible Church. I think you can download it at http://www.canyonhillscommunitychurch.com
Thanks so much, Ellen!
This is so important – “I need to remember to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart.” Love the Yorkshire pudding!
Hi Ellen, I love the Call the Midwife series and looking forward to the Christmas special. I am doing an Advent study too on Carols of Christmas, some older and some newer. You are right about the stress things. I start my cards tomorrow. Better late than never!
Enjoyed reading your answers. I watch those 2 shows on PBS. I definitely need my stress to be less. I enjoyed your random. Take care and God Bless.
Oh Yorkshire pudding! Haven’t had it in ages, but it’s so good! (love the photo of you) Thanks for sharing that little devotional thought about Mary’s Boy Child, which is a Christmas song I’ve always like so much. Happy Holidays!