Modern-day Christians have a variety of translations (and paraphrases) available to read and study God’s Word.
When I’m studying a passage in depth, I find it helpful to read that passage in a variety of translations. The subtle differences and nuances between translations bring out shades of meaning that I might otherwise miss.
When reading Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life several years ago, I also learned the benefit of studying a passage in an unfamiliar translation. It slows us down. Tripping and stumbling over different words than the ones we’ve memorized can force us to pause, focusing on the meaning of the words.
A variety of translations can certainly be helpful for study and to spur on good discussion … but when it comes to Luke 2, I’m totally biased and unapologetic: the King James Version is the one! These traditional words are so lovely, so sacred, so reverent – they convey a holiness that is fitting for the entrance of Baby Jesus into this world.
Perhaps you first heard the words of Luke 2 while wearing your father’s bathrobe or a halo fashioned from a metal coat hanger (depending on whether you were assigned the role of shepherd or angel in your annual church Christmas pageant). Or maybe, like me, you first heard them from the lips of Linus in A Charlie Brown Christmas.
My love for Luke 2 – in the KJV – meant this was required memorization in our homeschool. You might be surprised to find even a six-year-old can commit this long passage to memory!
Why not try memorizing Luke 2 together as a family this year? Adding just one verse each day during December will have the entire Christmas Story hidden in your heart (and the hearts of your children) well before Christmas. You might even want to launch a new yearly tradition and have the children recite it for the family on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.
We know we tend to remember what we write, so this month’s Write the Word includes the Christmas Story from Luke 2. We hope you will write (and memorize) along with us. To close out the month, we’ll also be writing about the visit from the Wise Men.
In addition to Standard and Large Print bookmarks available to download, we are once again offering a S.O.A.P. Bible study page. If you have questions about the S.O.A.P. method, you can read more about it here.)
If your children would like to choose a favorite verse from the passage and write along with you, we’re pleased to be offering three free Christmas-themed A Reason For Handwriting Border Sheet designs, as well – compliments of our generous sponsor, A Reason For. The Border Sheets are available in Manuscript or Cursive; be sure to download one (or both) today!
We’re praying these old familiar words bring new wonder to your heart and mind this Christmas season.
Click the link below to download your printable
Write The Word bookmarks, S.O.A.P. guide,
and Handwriting Border Sheets:
Write The Word: The Christmas Story – Standard Bookmark
Write The Word: The Christmas Story – Large Print Bookmark
Write The Word: The Christmas Story – S.O.A.P. Study Guide
Thank you, Laura, I look forward to writing the Christmas story along with you and my children this year. I love this opportunity to bring my little one into writing God’s Word and applying it to his young heart as we go into this Season. Merry Christmas.