December 2011 CEB Newsletter

BLewis — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:27:00 GMT

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Praying the Scriptures

Mary said,

“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!

In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.

He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.

Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for me.

Holy is his name.

He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God.

He has shown strength with his arm.

He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.

He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.” (Luke 1: 46-55; CEB)

Thoughts for the holidays . . .

In all your Christmas planning, are you preparing your heart and mind for the true meaning of Christmas?

Your Christmas tree is now set up in front of the picture window. Your lights are hung up around the house and all working except that one string that keeps going out. Your holiday menu is all planned out. The invitations to your Christmas party have been emailed out. The Christmas cards to your relatives without email have been sent out. You have survived Black Friday, but have carpal tunnel from Cyber Monday.

But have you done your spiritual preparation for the holidays? As you and your family get ready for Christmas, are you reminding yourself of the true reason for the season?

Some helpful Advent and Christmas themes and verses: The prophecies of the birth of Christ; The amazing story of God becoming a man; Roman oppression during the time of the empire.

Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14; CEB)

As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces, one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you. His origin is from remote times, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2; CEB)

“And again, Isaiah says, There will be a root of Jesse, who will also rise to rule the Gentiles. The Gentiles will place their hope in him. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13; CEB)

This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, A voice crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked will be made straight and the rough places made smooth. All humanity will see God’s salvation.” (Luke 3:4-6; CEB)

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17; CEB)

All Things In Common…Guest Blog Posts

Enjoy a video blog post on Christmas messages and the CEB's translation using the word "magi" by blogger David C. Kenney

Common English Bible "Magi"

Read blogger Jim West's interview with New Testament editor Joel Green

Zwinglius Redivivus

In the News

Reviews and media coverage of the Common English Bible!

12/1/11 US Catholic; Another new translation: word "immigrant" to appear in Bibles

"Bad news seems to flow out of Alabama left and right as the result of their harsh new immigration laws. How timely then that the Common English Bible will use the word “immigrant” in a new version, replacing what is usually translated as “stranger” or 'alien.'" read more

12/6/11 Examiner.com; With Dozens of versions available, why do we need another Bible translation?

"With dozens of versions available, why do we need another Bible translation? Associate publisher of latest Bible translation, Common English Bible, explains why." read more

12/16/11 The Washington Post; CEB translation named in top 10 news stories for 2011 for religion newswriters

"The Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) polls its members annually to compile a list of the top 10 religion stories of the year. About 90 religion beat specialists took the poll this year." read more

12/16/11 CBAOnline.org; CBA Bestselling Bibles: CEB debuts in top 10 of translations

December list is based on units sold in October 2011 read more

What's being said...

The Common English Bible is currently hosting an international network of bloggers in a 3-month-blog-tour celebrating the season and the Common English Bible translation! Join the last few weeks or read blog posts at the CEB site.

“This tour is designed to help bloggers coordinate for their readers the thoughtful consideration of the biblical expressions of gratitude, waiting for the coming of Christ, and personal renewal,” says Paul Franklyn, PhD, associate publisher for the Common English Bible. “What better time to consider these themes than during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year? And in what better manner than with a scholarly Bible translation that’s easily comprehendible to the majority of English readers?”

For more on the blogger tour click here

Available Now!

The Common English Daily Companion Bible is now available. With 260 reading selections, space for personal reflections, a thematic index as well as the full text of the Common English Bible, this is the perfect combination of daily devotions and Bible text for the beginning of a new year.

Click here to pick out the Common English Bible that fits your lifestyle.

Check out these new videos!

Editor Joel Green discusses “The Human One” and the goals of the CEB translation team.

Coming Soon!

When will large print editions be available, you ask? The answer: Spring 2012! In March 2012, there will be large print church (pew) Bibles, as well as large print premium edition Bibles. There will also be a special 16 pt. type Bible, called the Super Giant Print that will be in stores in April 2012. Be on the lookout for these easy-to-read, more readable Bibles.

Also, look for an update on SBL-AAR Conference in the next newsletter.

Scripture Comparisons

Luke 2: 10-14

Common English Bible (CEB)

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”

New International Version, 2011 (NIV)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

King James Version (KJV)

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 multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

To compare other verses with the Common English Bible, visit BibleGateway.com.

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Common English Bible

December 2011 CEB Newsletter

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