Advent 2015: Day 2

Sometimes I wonder why certain things are in the Bible. Not just whole stories (especially the ones where it seems like war and killing are ok with God, or maybe even encouraged...what???) but certain words or phrases. Now, I'm not someone who has studied the Bible or the history and culture of the day, but I do find it interesting to think that the Bible is God's word and things are not just accidentally thrown in it!

My friends are memorizing the Christmas story with their kids this Advent season and since it's just a really great idea I asked if I could be a copycat! The verse for today is this: "(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)" -Luke 2:2

What??? Who cares??? Why would this be added, even just as a side note? It was even totally in parentheses in the passage! Like, "oh, by the way..." The somewhat exasperating thing about me is that I don't actually care enough to do the research. Or even think about it for longer than a minute or two. And, honestly, I don't even need the answer. The questions are enough for me to ponder.

I think questioning is important. But getting all the answers just right is maybe less so? What are we really supposed to learn from what we read in the Bible? The facts? The gist? Somewhere in between? There are probably many people who have spent a lot of time studying that particular verse in Luke and perhaps have answers to my questions about its purpose and importance in the story. But there are likely many other verses or stories that just cannot be explained very easily or are the source of much controversy among Bible scholars. How should we read the Bible? Can we just take what we like and ignore the parts we don't understand or agree with? Why would I take the time to actually memorize this verse if it makes no sense at all to me? Do I have to figure out it's meaning in order to determine it's importance?

I guess what this ultimately said to me today was that there always is a reason, even if I don't understand, for what is in the Bible. And it's ok to not understand why in each case. Even the truly perplexing ones. Seeking after God's truth and listening for His voice as I read the Bible is enough at this moment. The answers may come or they may not. But I can choose to be faithful and content with either scenario.