Throughout the year, different weeks or days are set aside in recognition of various groups, individuals, events, diseases and other activities.
In addition to celebrating Thanksgiving this past week, people also celebrated National Bible Week.
Each year, National Bible Week is celebrated from Sunday to Sunday of Thanksgiving Week. The 2011 National Bible Week celebration ran from Nov. 20-27, with National Bible Day being celebrated Nov. 21, according to nationalbible.org.
According to the National Bible Association, National Bible Week has been celebrated every year since 1941. The National Bible Association is a nonprofit, independent, educational association that was founded in 1940. It is comprised of business and professional leaders, and it is focused exclusively on encouraging this country to read the Bible in every sector of society, regardless of religious or political distinction.
“Our goal is to raise awareness of the Bible’s importance and relevance to our nation as a whole as well as in the lives of individuals,” according to the National Bible Association.
In many cities across this country, Americans gather on the Monday of Thanksgiving Week with political, business and religious leaders to publicly read the Bible. They ask God’s blessing upon this country.
In Liberty County, however, the mayor’s annual Thanksgiving service is held at the beginning of National Bible Week. This service thanks God for His many blessings upon this country and asks for His continued blessings upon this nation.
As we know, the United States was founded as a Christian nation and established on the Bible. The early settlers, signers of the Declaration of Independence and many presidents depended on God and the Bible for daily guidance and instruction.
The Bible is one of the most widely read books in America as well as other countries around the world, and it continues to outsell many other.
In this advanced and technological age in which we now live, people easily can access the Bible in various translations via the internet, iPads and smartphones. 
Today, there are many Bibles available for anyone who desires to become more knowledgeable of the word of God. Whereas the King James Version, which celebrates its 400th anniversary this year, was the primary translation for so many years, there are other popular translations. They include the New King James Version, New Living Translation, New International Version and New American Standard Bible.
As we get into the Christmas holiday season and prepare our shopping list, why not give a Bible as a present to a family member, friend, neighbor or coworker? In the pages of this book, which is one of the most popular books of our time, the recipient will be blessed to read many inspiring and uplifting verses, especially about the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.