I hate getting books for Christmas in general because I’m such a mood reader, and I’ve plastered a fake smile on my face many a time and repeated internally ‘Its the thought that counts.’ as I unwrap a book I will not read.
But the worst one by far, given to me by my own Mother , who I know loves me, when I was fourteen years old! was >!Men are from Mars Women are from Venus.!< I am sitting there horrified thinking what is she trying to tell me? As my sisters are flat on the floor laughing to the point of puking. We eventually came to the conclusion she just saw an attractive cover on a bestseller table and grabbed it. Love to know your terrible gift stories.
I was raised Catholic and on Confirmation day, at 15, the gift I got from my godfather was a Bible. I thought to myself: my good sir, I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t studied that exact book for the past decade of my life. So yeah, as a voracious reader, I was expecting something a bit different. And the fact that the priest himself told us beforehand that for his Confirmation he got a wristwatch didn’t help either. Anyway, the Bible at least came in handy when we were analyzing some excerpts in high school. From then on, everyone who’s considering buying me a book receives a carefully curated list.
Was it at least a study Bible with some decent notes?
I don’t mind having multiple Bibles, because I like studying theology and crossreferencing different translations against the original text, or reading the study notes and learning materials. But then, if someone bought me, say, a generic NIV or KJV or whatever, I’d not be too thrilled, since I have those.
For the record though, I wouldn’t say no to a Douay-Rheims one day. That’s one I’ve not got.
It was indeed a generic copy.
That being said, in all honestly, studying the Bible isn’t something I’m that much interested in. I respect it and try to incorporate its wisdom into my thoughts and actions, but for me organized religion was always more of a chore than a free choice.
However, I’m glad that you are passionate about studying theology. My grandma also likes to fill out her free time with such musings, and sometimes she’ll share her thoughts with me, which I always appreciate.
I hope you manage to get a copy of Douay-Rheims!
I don’t remember who gifted it to me, but I got a book on Buddhist wisdom for my (Lutheran) confirmation day.
I’d like to know the thought process that was going on in that person’s brain!