Luke's Christmas Story

[Deacon]

Merry Christmas Morning!

I'm visiting the grandkids just a few miles short of Caribou Maine.

A beautiful blanket of snow covers the pine trees and a cool misty fog surrounds us this morning as the weather is quite balmy for this time of year.

Most everyone is still snug in bed and my grandson and I made a big batch of pancakes for breakfast.

Our tradition is to read Luke's Christmas account before opening presents.
We usually read it from a child's book with pictures but left it at home in PA so I began looking through the versions to see which one I'd choose.

Look at two of the differences in the translations.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” (Luke 2:1, AV 1873)

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” (Luke 2:1, ESV)

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” (Luke 2:1, NIV)

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.” (Luke 2:1, NLT)

***************

“…and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, AV 1873)

“… and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, ESV)

“… She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:7, NIV)

“… She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” (Luke 2:7, NLT)

Rob

 

[Scarlett O.]

I don't see a real difference.

Isn't Caesar August, when taxing or registering the whole world, doing such to the Roman Empire? That's his only place of authority - that IS his whole world. Some large parts of the world were not under his rule and reign and had no clue of his taxing/registering of his people.

And aren't swaddling clothes snugly? Binding cloths that went around a baby to keep him/her still and comfortable?

"No room in the inn" comparing to "no lodging available for them" - that says the same thing to me.

 

[Deacon]

I don't see a real difference.

Some might disagree but the NLT seemed so simple that even a (grand)child could picture the story.

That's what I read this morning.

Well the rain has stopped, the sun's out, the sky is clear - I'm going to toss a ball with my grandson.

Have a great day!

Rob

 

[franklinmonroe]

... Our tradition is to read Luke's Christmas account before opening presents.
We usually read it from a child's book with pictures but left it at home in PA so I began looking through the versions to see which one I'd choose.

Look at two of the differences in the translations. ...

God bless grandchildren! It may be preferable to use a children's picture book (not knowing their ages) than a Bible translation. Let's admit that even many adults aren't familiar with terms such as "swaddling cloths".

I'm actually not in favor of any of those verse translations. I think that "stall" would be a better choice than those that render the Greek into "manger" as the KJV did φάτνῃ (Strong's #5336) at Luke 13:15. I believe Jesus was born in the ceremonially clean stall of the Tower of the Flock (per the prophecy of Micah 4:8) where many flawless sacrificial lambs were birthed.