Reflections on Bibles

The people of God have always been challenged to look beyond what is seen in the world around them with the inner eye of faith.  The light of Christ not only penetrates the deepest corners of our beings to reveal and redeem, but also casts a radiance on all existence such that there is joy and love beyond which the world can ever see.

“I am the light of the world!”
Jesus (John 9:5)

“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.”
John 1:1

For us as Christians, Jesus Christ is the light of the world and the living Word!  As such he holds the potential to illumine all of our living.  We have always taken the Word of God (in both the scriptures and Jesus Christ) very seriously and they are always lifted up in our worship. This past Sunday, September 18th, we did something very special by presenting Bibles to our children as one of their rights of passage - and as part of their encouraged growth in the faith.

“Train up a child in the way he/she
should go, even when he/she is old
he/she will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

After our presentation Sunday of the Bibles, it occurred to me that since returning to worship this past year we have not had Bibles in the pew racks (which is why the scripture lessons are printed in the weekly program).   But as I said, the Bible is our book – and there’s nothing like reading from a book.  The days are coming when our Bibles will be restored to the sanctuary for our use.  But in the meantime, I want to invite you to bring your own Bible to church to read from an actual book.  Both formats are good, but if you like holding the weight of a book in your hands, then by all means, bring your Bible to church.  The version we use on Sunday mornings is the New Revised Standard Version and whatever version you use will add to the richness of our various expressions of faith.

Helping our children understand the centrality of the living Word in their lives is one of the best gifts we can give them…and it is one of the best reminders we can give ourselves.  Come, consider bringing your Bible, and whatever medium you use, let’s share the gifts of faith, light and love with one another and the wider world around us!

            Grateful for the Word,

Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister