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The story of the first Christmas, that dark, still night that the Christ
Child was born, is told by two of the apostles: Matthew, the tax collector,
and Luke, the physician.
They told it only once, simply and beautifully, but in the ancient language
of their time and place. We in America read it as it has been translated
into a language that did not even exist when Christ was bom.
There are several translations of the story that we may choose. But three
in particular are die most read: the King James version, the Revised Standard
translation, and the New English version.
•SKtV HIT 111 TO B
The oldest, and probably the favorite of the English-speaking world, is
the Nativity story told in the King James Bible.
The King James version was written in 1611. The Revised Standard
version was completed in 1952. The work on the New English Version is
still going on, but the first part, "The New English Bible, New Testament,”
was completed last year.
Here, for comparison, are these three translations of that part of the
Nativity story told in Luke 2: 6-14:
King James Version
"... And so it was, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in
a manger; because there was no room for them in
the inn.
"And there were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock
by night.
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them;
and they were sore afraid.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for,
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall
find the babe—wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying
in a manger.
"And suddenly there was with the angel a mul
titude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
go 1 will toward men.”
Revised Standard Version
"... And while they were there, the time came
for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her
first - born son and wrapped him in swaddling
cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there
was no place for them in the inn.
"And in that region there were shepherds out
in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and
the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were filled with fear. And the angel said to them,
'Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news
of a great joy which will come to all the people;
for to you is born this day in the city of David a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a
sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host praising God and saying,
" 'Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom he
is pleased!’ ”
New English Version
"She was pregnant, and while they were there
the time came for her child to be born, and she
gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped
him round, and laid him in a manger, because there
was no room for them to lodge in the house.
"Now in this same district there were shepherds
out in the fields, keeping watch through the night
over their flocks, when suddenly there stood before
them an angel of the Lord, and the splendour of
the Lord shone round them. They were terror
struck, but the angel said, 'Do not be afraid; I
have good news for you: there is great joy coming
to the whole people. Today in the city of David
a deliverer has been born unto you—the Messiah, the
Lord. And this is your sign: you will find a baby
lying all wrapped up, in a manger.’ All at once
there was with the angel a great company of the
heavenly host, singing the praises of God:
" ’Glory to God in Highest heaven,
And on earth his peace for men on whom his
favour rests’.”
THE NOME NUGGET