I did something that I haven't done in two years. Open an old bible study guide called "The Word as a Way of Life" something that I used to read all the time. Why did I ever stop? Rediscovering God's Word and the love I once had for it, is even better then when I first started. It doesn't hurt to have the sounds of Christmas music in the background. As I was reading Matthew chapter one, I wondered if Joseph would pat Mary's very pregnant belly and sing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?" Probably not, but it's a funny thought.
I also was curious why no one's written Christmas songs from the angle of Elizabeth, Zechariah, and John the Baptist? All those people were instrumental in this awesome God ordained arrangement of Jesus birth too. Granted it's all about Jesus, but I guess I try to think outside of the box, and look at things from a different perspective.
So, doing laundry, reading the Bible, and decorating our little artificial Christmas tree. I may also get a walk in the cold cold winter weather, because the sun decided to actually shine. It's been overcast lately, and I tend to get really depressed. Yes, I know how dumb that sounds, but it's true.
Also, I want to leave a short thanks for my Grandpa. It was wonderful visiting him and Grandma for Thanksgiving. He left a brochure on "God's Word is under Attack!" on his desk and I actually read it. How is it possible to forget that the enemy will always try to get me to doubt God's Word? After I read the brochure, I had renewed confidence in God's Word being true. Now, I don't necessarily agree that everyone should only read the King James Version, but neither do I agree that everyone should read anything but the King James Version as God's Word. That's just my opinion, and it may change.
My problem isn't the ability to read the Bible, it's the old saying "familiarity breeds contempt" by Mark Twain. I've read the Bible dozens of times in several non-heretical versions, including King James Version. What I think is changing is allowing God's Word to read into me and my life. Not just offering up flowery poetic prayers, but honest broken prayers filled with emotion.
I'm listening to very familiar Christmas songs. I could just let them pass me by without thinking about how exceptional Jesus is. What would we be singing each year if He never came? Would their be songs of celebration, redemption, and love of and for God? Who knows?
All I know is that I want to face the past, and not run from it. Listening to Christmas music while reading the Bible is a good idea. It's like falling in love again. Merry Christmas.
Here are two websites that I thought were intersting and gave me some insight on Twain's quote "Familiarity Breeds Contempt".
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marktwain107757.html
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/shift-mind/201010/does-familiarity-breed-contempt
