Every year when December rolls around we pull out Christmas decorations, untangle the lights and start singing Christmas carols and hymns. There's a familiarity and the warmth of memories those traditions bring. But it's so easy when we turn to read the Christmas story, to click off the brain, thinking, "I know the story. I've heard it so many times before."

I know I thought I had it down pretty good. But then last year the Lord laid it on my heart to take time each day during…