The Christmas Story

The Christmas Story

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus.”

Matthew 1:20-21

We must have forty or fifty Bibles. They are of all sizes and colors and in all kinds of versions—the King James, the New King James, the Good News, the New American Standard, the Amplified, the Living Bible, the Message, the New International Version, the New Revised Standard Bible, the New Living, and on and on. And then we have the workbook editions, the pocket editions, the illustrated editions, and the devotional editions. Some are old, some new. Many were gifts on various occasions. Most of these, most of the time, however, sit on a shelf in our study at home.^a

But there are two Bibles—our personal Bibles—that are very different. Les’s Bible is a black leather edition with study help and fancy thumb indentions for quick reference. These days, however, he’s just as likely to read from an electronic edition on his smartphone or tablet, where he can quickly compare various translations.

Leslie’s Bible, on the other hand, has a more personal feel. Its light brown leather cover, because of wear, is no longer affixed to the spine. Les gave it to me on December 14, 1979—our first Christmas as a dating couple. How can I remember the date all these years later? Because the inscription, penned in Les’s teenage handwriting, is still clearly visible. And it’s from this Bible that, around this time of year, we traditionally read Matthew’s biblical account of the birth of Christ (Matthew 1:18–2:23). For us, there is something about reading it from this particular Bible that joins our spirits as we celebrate this special time of year.

How about you? Do the two of you ever read the biblical account of Christ’s birth together? If not, we suggest you give it a try this year. You just may start a new and meaningful Christmas tradition.

The event of Christ is the only event in human history that promises relocation and centering, meaning and purpose. This promise and its fulfillment evoke passionate and heartfelt praise and thanks, especially for those aware of their own brokenness and the healing which Christ brings into their lives.

—Robert Webber

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