As we continue in our theme of Immanuel—God with us in newness, today, we are going to do something … well, new. We’re going to make a recommendation to you. But you’ll see that the real point is to hopefully help you plan now to start your new year off with something special, something new, for you and your children.

So much of Christmas is about our kids, as it should be, but then this season also reminds us of what Jesus said in Matthew 18:3—that we need to become like a little child to receive Him. And no matter our age, we are God’s kids.

There is a children’s Bible version that has been around for about a decade called the “Jesus Storybook Bible,” compiled and uniquely paraphrased by Sally Lloyd-Jones, a Christian writer from the U.K. who specializes in creating children’s resources. Her version for kids is a refreshing, challenging, and inspiring new take on the old familiar stories. The special aspect is that Jones weaves Christ throughout the classic Old Testament passages to connect one Great Story for kids. But if you are anything like us here at Sound Mind Set, you’ll be taken in by the beauty and simplicity of the stories of God contained in these pages. Take in the poetic, personal approach as I read a few examples:

From the end of the Garden story in Genesis: “Well, in another story, it would all be over and that would have been The End. But not in this Story. God loved his children too much to end the story there. Even though he knew he would suffer, God had a plan—a magnificent dream. One day, he would get his children back. One day, he would make the world their perfect home again. And one, day, he would wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

In that passage, Jones weaved phrases from the final Book of the Bible—Revelation 7 and 21 into Genesis 3.

From Psalm 23: “Even when I walk through the dark, scary, lonely places I won’t be afraid because my Shepherd knows where I am.”

The dark, scary, and lonely places … He knows where I am …. what a poignant way to express Psalm 23.

From Jesus’ baptism: “’This is my own Son. And I love Him. I am very pleased with him,’ God said. ‘Listen to him.’ Heaven had broken through. The Great Rescue had begun.”

From the crucifixion: “The full force of the storm of God’s fierce anger at sin was coming down. On his own Son. Instead of his people. It was the only way God could destroy sin, and not destroy his children whose hearts were filled with sin. Then Jesus shouted in a loud voice, “It is finished!” And it was. He had done it. Jesus had rescued the whole world. “Father! Jesus cried. “I give you my life.” And with a great sigh he let himself die. Strange clouds and shadows filled the sky. Purple, orange, black. Like a bruise.”

The Word is the Word, no matter how you package it. And maybe it would be good for us all to read the Bible through the eyes of a child once again. What might be very cool, if you get The Jesus Storybook Bible, is to spend a few days reading it yourself before you begin reading it to or with your kids. If you have teenagers, consider looking on-line at the best version you could get to read with them. Hearing God’s Word and His amazing stories in different ways through different interpretations can help us see Him in new ways. Immanuel—The God Who is with Us in the New and Makes All Things New.

Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and how Your stories can speak to a small child or a seasoned adult. Help me to involve Your Word into our family life this next year. Use Your Word in our lives to bring us more and more of the new in You each day. As above, so below.”