(Lov) // "Oh, Thy Word!"

The number 7 is the number of "completion" in the Bible.  So, to honor the completion of the 7th day of my project, I decided to read to my Husband from God's Word! For a married couple who love the Lord, I don't think there is a sweeter sound than hearing the voice of your spouse read from the Bible. As a young girl, it became a tradition in my family that I read the "Christmas Story" aloud on Christmas Eve.  I thought it a good choice for this evening, given the theme and nature of the project.  And here is what I read:

Luke 2

 ¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

 ²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

 ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 ¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

 ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 ²¹And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

 ²²And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

 ²³(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

 ²⁴And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

 ²⁵And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

 ²⁶And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

 ²⁷And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

 ²⁸Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

 ²⁹Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

 ³⁰For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

 ³¹Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

 ³²A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Brendan and I hold the belief that the King James Bible is  God’s inspired and preserved word without error in English, to the exclusion of all other English versions. Next to Jesus Christ himself, it is what we value above all things. What makes the Bible so very special is that it is the ONLY way in which God has, can, and will communicated HIS truth to us (you and me). It is documented proof of how much God loves us, a mirror in which we can honestly see ourselves (sinner's in need of a Saviour), and a testament to how (through the blood of Christ) we are saved and redeemed. For Brendan and I, it is our foundation and the final authority. Without it, we would not know the Lord, and without the Lord we would be lost in our sins and without hope...for "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.   

We also believe that "Christmas" is a man made holiday and don't choose to honor it as if it were a God ordained day to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Rather, we choose to celebrate Christ's birth, death, burial and resurrection every day through Bible study, the sharing of the gospel, and by being ambassadors as we that are saved are called to be. We glory in the opportunity to share the Faith of Christ ALWAYS, with anyone who has ears to hear...even during "Christmas".   

(Lov)e,

-k.