Reading and leaping

Last fall, our congregation presented Bibles to some of our elementary school kids. This is a longstanding tradition here, to provide each child of reading age with their very own grown-up Bible.

When we hand out the Bibles, I always call the kids forward and tell them that it is a special gift from their church family, because we think it's important that everyone have a Bible to read for themselves. I remind them that we think the Bible is awfully important, because it tells the story of how God works in the world, and of God's love for us, and it helps us learn how to live together and with God.

Reading the Bible is not something you do by yourself, I tell them, though sometimes you do it when you’re alone. This book tells a story that has been passed through the generations, and so it comes to you from people who also think it’s really important, and all these people (here, I point to the gathered congregation) are here to help you read it and think about it and figure out what it means for your own life.