The Bible as a gift: can it be given, and how to do it?
The Bible is the main holy book for Christians, on which the Church’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all people is based. Traditionally, this book is divided into two parts - the Old and New Testaments.
The Old Testament is the history of the people of Israel, from which the Savior came, even before His birth, and the New Testament is a description of the miraculous birth of Christ, His earthly ministry, passion, death, resurrection from the dead and ascension. In addition, the New Testament tells about the birth of the Christian Church and its early years of existence.
Is it possible to give?
Due to the importance of this book for Christians, the question often arises: is it possible to give the Bible for a birthday or any other holiday?
The answer to this question follows from the essence and purpose of the Bible, or as it is also called the Holy Scriptures. The fact is that this book, as the Church believes, is inspired by God, its basis is God’s Revelation about Himself. In other words, the Bible was written by men, but they did so under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In addition, it says about God only what He Himself wished to reveal about Himself to people for the sake of their salvation. And if so, then every Christian should have a Bible at home, should read it and understand it correctly. Accordingly, to the question - is it possible to give a Bible? – you can only answer positively. And you can choose it in the " " section of our catalog.
Occasion
However, even if a person has decided on such a gift, another question often arises - when is a Bible given? In fact, there are many different reasons for this, and not only church ones.
Firstly Of course, you can give a person Holy Scripture on the day of his baptism, especially if an adult is already baptized. Also, such a gift can be given on name day, that is, when a believer celebrates the memory of his heavenly patron. At the same time, you can give the Bible not only to an adult, but also to a child, since there are special ones in a simplified presentation and in beautiful design.
Secondly, The Bible can be a wonderful gift for newlyweds on their wedding day in the Church. In this case, it will definitely serve as a guide in spiritual life not to one person, but to an entire family. This is especially important because the Bible has a lot to say about the rules of godly family life.
Is it possible to give to a non-Christian?
The question may also arise: is it possible to give the Bible as a gift to a non-Christian? In this case, you can also answer positively, but it is worth making one reservation. Considering that the Bible is a sacred book, you need to treat it as piously as possible, remembering that for Christians it is a shrine. That is why you can give the Holy Scriptures to a non-Christian, but only to someone who is already on the path to God, on the path to baptism, who wants to become a follower of Christ and is consciously preparing for this. For such a person, the Bible can be a very valuable and important gift.
Gift for relatives
In general, it can be noted that you can give Scripture to any pious person from your circle, be it one of your parents, brother or sister, children, as well as relatives, friends and relatives. In addition, the Bible makes a great gift for a church, parish library, or Sunday school.
How to sign a Bible as a gift for a child or adult
If you decide to give a Bible, it is advisable to sign it. In such a memorial inscription, it is best to wish the future reader of the Holy Scriptures wisdom and intelligence in understanding what they read, because often sacred texts contain much more meaning than it seems at first glance. That is why, when signing the Bible, it is worth wishing for God’s help in comprehending the meaning of the sacred texts. At the same time, of course, special interpretations of the holy fathers can be useful to a person. Well, children can be reminded in a memorial inscription about the need to protect the Bible from damage and read it as often as possible.
Now you can always choose and buy a Bible as a gift in the Chronicle online store. We present a variety of versions of the Holy Scriptures - from simple and inexpensive editions to exquisitely designed gift editions. Prices can be found in the catalogue.
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Each of us sincerely wishes to make a gift for a loved one unforgettable, bringing only positive emotions. After looking through the many possible options, some people ask the question: “Is it possible to give a Bible?”
- It is better to give a Bible to someone in whose faith you are absolutely sure. Otherwise, the gift may be misinterpreted or leave the recipient indifferent.
- If the birthday person is a child, try to choose the brightest book, with colorful illustrations and large font. It will be interesting for your child to study the parables of the Old and New Testaments on their own. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the presentation of the text, which should be understandable to a child audience.
- The donated book of Holy Scripture must be new and not contain any marks, including those made by the donor’s hand.
- For a traveler or a person whose life is closely connected with travel, a pocket edition of the Bible will be a useful gift that serves as a talisman. A book of this format is convenient to take on the road, as it takes up minimal space.
Signs
Despite the fact that the church has an extremely negative attitude towards all superstitions, there are several signs associated with the Holy Book. For example, one of them categorically prohibits making dedicatory inscriptions both on the Bible itself and on all books on religious subjects. Also, you should not write on icons and holy images.
Another belief states that the publication of sacred texts should never be purchased for money. This opinion is quite absurd and really refers to empty superstitions, because at all times the Bible was purchased in a shop at the temple, paying money for it.
The sacrament of baptism is a significant event in the life of both the child and the parents. It is customary to prepare for it thoroughly and in advance. The main task of parents is to choose the right godparents for their baby. Invited guests have their own troubles - choosing a gift that suits the occasion.
Grade
Parents themselves decide when exactly they want to baptize their baby. Many people prefer to wait until the child begins to hold his head up. However, the older the baby gets, the more troubles can arise during the ceremony itself. The child may be afraid of people and unusual surroundings.
When preparing for the sacrament of baptism, parents should first of all visit the temple in which the ceremony is planned. There you will decide on the date of baptism and find out what you need to have with you. Now on the territory of many temples there is a small church intended for baptism. This is very convenient, because it is usually very warm there. Moreover, you will not be disturbed by the parishioners of the main temple. As for the presence of the mother at the sacrament of baptism, there is no single rule in this regard. Again, such nuances need to be discussed with the priest.
What to dress your child in
This question worries all mothers without exception. After all, baptism is a holiday, so clothes should be smart. Of course, you can simply dress your baby in something smart. However, now there is such a huge selection of baptismal clothes that you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to dress your baby according to all the rules.
It is customary for a child to be baptized christening shirt. You can sew it yourself. This outfit is universal and will suit both boys and girls. If you don't like the shirt, pay attention to christening dresses for girls and suits for boys. As a rule, such outfits are distinguished by white color, lace and embroidery. Some outfits come complete with socks (which need to be removed during the sacrament) and bib. The presence of the latter is very important, as it allows you not to stain the outfit with the oil that is used to anoint the child.
God-parents
The choice of godparents is one of the most important moments. You need to remember that these people will become the second parents of your baby. Therefore, it is important that applicants for this role know both you and the child well. They can be close relatives or friends, the main thing is that future godparents were not married to each other and did not plan to do so in the future. Naturally, these people must be baptized.
Present
After the sacrament of baptism, parents usually invite friends and relatives to celebrate this significant event. Since christening is a special day, special gifts are needed. Choosing a gift is a troublesome task, so guests prefer to give money. WANT I chose the most interesting ideas for christening gifts. If you couldn’t find something in your city, you can place an order on foreign websites. Just keep in mind that delivery of your purchase may take about a month.
Kryzhma
The child is placed on the lid, which can be replaced with a large light towel, after dipping. A year after baptism, the kryzhma is not washed. It is used to cover the baby if he is sick or sleeps restlessly. You can’t throw away the kryzhma.
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Cross
It is generally accepted that the cross is given to the child by the godfather. It is important that the product does not have sharp corners so as not to scratch the baby. The cross is worn on the body, and the length of the cord on which it hangs should reach the solar plexus area. However, in the case of babies, you can attach a cross to a pin, or purchase a ready-made design.
Bible
One of the best christening gifts is a children's Bible. It can be beautifully signed, which will make the gift special.
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Silver spoon/cup
It is customary to give a silver spoon for the first tooth. The fact is that silver has disinfecting properties. In addition, it is able to quickly neutralize and remove toxins from the body.
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Box for the first tooth and curl
Very cute little things that will long preserve the memory of such important events in the baby’s life as the first tooth that fell out, and a cut lock of hair.
Box for storing birth and baptism certificates
You can put any important documents or certificates of your child in such a box. They will always be safe and sound.
Stuffed Toys
One of the most popular gifts are soft toys. On the day of baptism, you can present a toy with appropriate symbols.
Casket
A jewelry box is a much needed gift. It will store the child's cross, and later other jewelry dyes.
Diapers/diapers
If your imagination is exhausted, you can give the diapers or nappies you always need. However, these ordinary things can be presented in a very beautiful form.
Photo frames
The choice of photo frames is now huge. But it is especially valuable to leave the child’s hand and foot prints as a keepsake. These memorial “signs” can also be framed.
Cake
A cake can become a full-fledged gift if it is made to order. It will not only decorate the festive table, but will also be a delicious end to the evening.
Choosing a gift is a very troublesome task, taking a lot of effort and time. But the sacrament of baptism occurs only once in a lifetime, so it makes sense to prepare for it properly.
OUTSTANDING SAYINGS ABOUT THE BIBLE
Abraham Lincoln: "I am convinced that the Bible is the best gift that God has ever given to man. The best of the Savior of the world is conveyed to us through this book."
V.E. Gladstone:"In my time I knew ninety-five outstanding people in the world, and eighty-seven of them were followers of the Bible. The Bible is distinguished by its origin and an immeasurable distance separates it from other books."
George Washington:“It is impossible to rule the world properly without God and the Bible.”
NAPOLEON:"The Bible is an extraordinary book. It is a Living Being that conquers everything that opposes it."
QUEEN VICTORIA:"I attribute to the Bible the greatness of England."
DANIEL WEBSTER:"If there is anything worthy of honor in my thoughts and style, I give credit to my parents, who from early childhood instilled in me a love of the Holy Scriptures. If we adhere to the principles taught in the Bible, our country will be in a state of constant prosperity. But If we and our descendants neglect the instructions and authority of this book, then we can safely say that a sudden catastrophe will befall us and turn our glory into deep disgrace.”
THOMAS CARLYLE:“The Bible is the truest expression ever expressed by the letters of our alphabet, issued from the soul of man, through which, as through a window opened by God, all men can look upon the silence of eternity and recognize in the distance the glimpse of a long-forgotten home.”
JOHN RESKIN:“If there is any value in all that I have written, it is because as a child my mother read passages of the Bible to me every day and daily demanded that I memorize these passages.”
CHARLES A. DANA:"This ancient Book is indestructible. And this land of ours, the more we turn its pages and study its secrets, the more truly it will confirm and illustrate the pages of the Holy Scriptures."
THOMAS HUXLEY:"The Bible is the Magna Carta of the Poor and the Enslaved. Mankind cannot do without it."
V.G. SEWARD:“The whole hope of human progress rests on the ever-increasing influence of the Bible.”
PATRICK HENRY:“The Bible is more valuable than all the books that have ever been printed.”
Yu.S. Grant: "The Bible is the spare anchor of our freedoms."
HORACE GRILLS:"It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a people who read the Bible. Biblical principles are the foundation of human freedom."
ANDREW JACKSON:"This book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests."
ROBERT E. LEE:“In all my perplexity and despair, I have always found light and strength in the Bible.”
LORD TENNYSON:"Reading the Bible is, in itself, an education."
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS:“So great is my respect for the Bible that the sooner my children begin to read it, the more confident I am that they will become useful citizens of their country and respected members of society. For many years I have maintained the custom of reading the Bible once a year.”
EMMANUEL KANT:"The existence of the Bible as a book is the greatest benefit to all people that humanity has ever experienced. Any attempt to belittle the Bible is a crime against humanity."
CHARLES DICKENS:"The New Testament is the greatest book now and in the future for the whole world."
SIR WILLIAM HERSCHEL:“All human discoveries serve to provide a stronger proof of the truths found in the Holy Scriptures.”
SIR ISAAC NEWTON:"The Bible contains more evidence of authenticity than all secular history."
V. GOETHE:“Let scientific culture develop, let natural science prosper in depth and breadth, let the human mind develop as much as it likes, but they will not surpass the cultural and moral level of Christianity, which shines in the Gospels.”
HENRY VAN DYCK:"Born in the East and dressed in Oriental form and imagery, the Bible goes through the whole world with ordinary steps and enters country after country to find its own everywhere. She has learned to speak to the heart of man in hundreds of languages. Children listen to her stories with wonder and pleasure, and the wise meditate on them as parables of life. The wicked and the proud fear her warnings, and to the wounded of heart and the repentant she speaks in the language of a mother. She weaves herself into our most precious dreams for Love, Friendship, Sympathy, Devotion, Remembrance and Hope were the ornament on the robe of her precious speech. No one should consider himself poor and lonely who has enriched himself with this wealth. When the firmament begins to darken and the frightened wanderer approaches the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he is not afraid to enter it. He takes the staff in his hands and staff of the Holy Scriptures and says to his friend and companion: “Goodbye, we will meet again.” Supported by this hope, he walks along a deserted path, making his way from darkness to light.”
The following sayings about the Bible by Russian thinkers were collected by the translator - Pastor I.K. Hook.
N.I. PIROGOV:“I needed an abstract, unattainably high ideal of faith. And having taken up the Gospel, which I had never read before, and I was already 38 years old, I found this ideal for myself.”
IN AND. BELINSKY:“There is a book in which everything is said, everything is decided, after which there is no doubt about anything, an immortal, holy book, a book of eternal truth, eternal life - the Gospel. All progress of mankind, all successes in the sciences, in philosophy lie only in great penetrating into the secret depths of this divine book... The foundations of the Gospel are the revelation of truth through love and grace."
F.M. DOSTOEVSKY:“Lord! what a book is this Holy Scripture, what a miracle and what power is given to man with it!... And how many mysteries are resolved and revealed! I love this book! Death to the people without God’s Word, for the soul thirsts for this word and every beautiful perception ".
I.S. NIKITIN:“Exhausted by a harsh life, more than once I have found in the verbs of the Eternal Word a source of peace and strength.”
A.S. PUSHKIN:“I think that we will never give the people anything better than Scripture... to find all human life in it. Religion created art and literature, everything that was great from ancient times!... Without this there would be neither philosophy nor poetry, no morality. The English are right that they give the Bible to children... My children will read the Bible with me in the original... The Bible is universal... This is the only book in the world: it has everything."
