Wednesday Hodgepodge is here again. Time to answer some questions From This Side of the Pond. Thank you, Joyce.
1. Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holiday season? What helps you keep your focus when the season’s busyness and commercialism start to take over?
I’ve had several years of Christmases to learn to focus on what is important. I can ignore commercialization. I need to focus on my own heart and mind and where I need to concentrate on the truth of what Christmas is. Look again with fresh eyes on the Biblical accounts and the wonder of the first Christmas.
Quoting from one of my favorite pastors who died this year: “Christmas is not about the Savior’s infancy: It is about His Deity.” John MacArthur
I’ll ask for help to focus my mind on my King and Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.
2. What’s one small thing you want to savor before the year ends?
All the things like twinkly lights and seasonal treats and stockings filled with little gifts.
3. December 9th is National Christmas Card Day. Do you still send Christmas cards? If so does yours include a photo or is it a more traditional card, or maybe homemade? How do you feel about the tradition of exchanging cards at the holidays? If Hanukkah is the holiday you celebrate in December do you send cards to mark the occasion?
I do still send Christmas cards, a traditional card with a photo and letter enclosed. I’m happy to say I was able to send them away on Monday the 8th.
4. What’s your least favorite holiday related task? What’s your favorite?
Least favorite is probably wrapping the presents. Favorite is buying the presents.
5. Let’s do a little holiday this or that?
- shopping or wrapping: shopping
- baking or decorating: decorating
- eggnog or wassail: eggnog
- real tree or artificial: real, although we’ve had to switch to fake
- turkey or ham: prime rib
- white lights or colored lights: white
- ugly sweaters or matching pjs: ugly sweaters
- peppermint or cinnamon: peppermint
- presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day: Christmas day
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I’m having a little surgery today to remove a cyst close to my eye. It is small and it shouldn’t be a problem but we have to drive to Spokane Valley for the procedure. I do not know when I’ll be able to come around to visit but I will eventually, Lord willing. Thank you.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
I hope that your procedure goes well, Ellen, and that your drive to and from Spokane Valley is a safe one. I enjoyed reading your answers and I agree with your answer to question one. I do think it´s everyone´s job to guard his/her heart and to determine the focus of the season. How neat that you still send out cards!
…Americans have commercialized Christmas like few others have. I wish the best with your surgery, be well.
Safe travels to Spokane and I will add you to my prayers this morning that all goes well. I liked your answer to #1. Take care.
Hello Ellen,
I hope all goes well with your surgery. Sending healing prayers!
Take care, have a great day!
As usual, so many of our answers were similar. I will be praying for you today and trust God’s hand of protection on you as you travel, the medical team as they do the procedure, and for a quick recovery. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Love the Mac Arthur quote! I was surprised to see that you would rather decorate than bake. You see, over the years since knowing you, I’ve held you up as the standard to attain.
I’ve been praying for your surgery today…praying for safe travels as well. xx
I’m saying a prayer for a speedy recovery for you!!
Hope your surgery went well!!
I send out fewer and fewer cards each year.
I hope your surgery was successful, and that you will enjoy all your Christmas cards! I’m thinking those grandchildren create you two some very special cards!
A very Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and yours, Ellen. Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. Prayers for your eye surgery; it doesn’t sound too bad, may all go smoothly and heal quickly!
Prayers that all goes well with your surgery and I do hope this leads to a very quick recovery. Hope your family enjoys a Beautiful Christmas season
Christmas decorations seem to go up earlier and earlier in the stores. Wishing you and all your Loved Ones, many Blessings and a Very Happy Christmas.
I obviously had racing brain yesterday and read your post much too quickly as I missed about your surgery. So glad if went well. More prayers for healing.
Enjoyed reading your answers today and I’m praying that your eye procedure goes smoothly and with a quick recovery. Have a very blessed Christmas!
I feel similarly about the commercialization of Christmas. I am able to focus on what Christmas really means by revolving my celebrating around that, playing/singing old and modern carols all through December, and worshipping with others who share that focus.
I have missed two years of sending Christmas cards, but I am trying to carve out time to get back in the swing of things this year. I am about halfway, so there’s hope!
(I missed reading this yesterday, so I am now praying for your recovery from surgery.)
I like that quote you shared. Nice answer for #2. Glad you do cards, I mailed mine recently too. Yes, wrapping isn’t a favorite of mine but I have a lot of them to wrap before Christmas. I like your this and that. We make prime rib around a week before Christmas from Adam, Gabby and James come over. I hot your surgery went well. Take care.