King James Bible KJV 400th Anniversary Celebration
May 2, 1611 – May 2, 2011
On May 2, 2011 the world will celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible. The history surrounding the publishing of this version of the Bible showed a hunger by the people to have the unadulterated Word of God accessible to them on a daily basis so they could commune with God and know Him through His Word.
The King James Version, or Authorized Version, of the Bible was commissioned at a time of Renaissance of literature and language in England, which led to a translation rich with the rhythms and beauty of Elizabethan poetry and drama. At the same time, the relatively new technology known as the printing press was seen as a means with which to open up accessibility to the Scriptures to ordinary Christians on a massive scale for the first time in history.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the King James Bible not Shakespeare set this language on its path to become a universal language on a scale unprecedented before or since.” – Melvyn Bragg, British Author and Broadcaster
The King James Version (KJV) of 1611, also known as “the people’s Bible”, became an enduring work in an age when religion mattered to almost everyone in a way that is difficult to appreciate today. When people believed in God and what the scriptures taught, Christian beliefs were part and parcel of daily life. It mattered what was taught and understood. It mattered what people really believed. It influenced their lives, their attitudes and their actions – from the highest in the land to the lowliest man or woman. The KJV had an enormous effect on peoples’ lives; its language and terminology may seem archaic today but it was the everyday parlance of ordinary people and its language became entwined into English literature over many generations, not just in England but wherever the Bible was carried into what has become the English-speaking world, and is with us today. (KJV Development)
“The King James Bible is a cornerstone of our culture and our language. Whatever our faith, whatever we believe, we have to recognise that the rhetorical power of this book, and in particular its power to fuse history with poetry, connects at the most fundamental level with our own history and poetry.” – Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, 1999-2009
A Timeline of Events leading up to the publishing of the King James Version
- 1601 – 16 May, a meeting of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland took place in the Parish Church of Burntisland, Fife, attended by King James VI of Scotland. It was at this meeting that the proposal to have a new translation of the Bible was first discussed.
- 1603 – James VI of Scotland became James I, King of England
- 1604 – The Hampton Court Conference on the future of the church; at this conference it was decided to commission a new translation of the Bible in an effort to provide a new translation which would be acceptable to everyone. The issue of too many marginal notes in the Geneva Bible became a rallying point for the adoption of the following resolution: “That a translation be made of the whole Bible, as consonant as can be to the original Hebrew and Greek; and this to be set out and printed, without any marginal notes, and only to be used in all churches of England in time of divine service.” King James I and Richard Bancroft, Bishop of London, later to become Archbishop of Canterbury, drew up instructions for the translators which would ensure that the new version would conform to the theology of the Church of England.
- 1610 – Meeting to discuss the translation at the Stationers Hall, City of London. Building on the advances in Hebrew and Greek scholarship, together with the insights of previous translators, the translation teams produced a remarkably rich and resonant version, which was to serve for public readings in churches as well as private devotional reading. The Bishop of Gloucester, Miles Smith, wrote the Preface, which acknowledged the new translation’s debt to its predecessors, but set out the hope that “out of many good ones” there would now be “one principal good one” used by everyone.
- 1611 – The King James Bible was published, despite considerable problems printing it.
- 1620 – The Pilgrim Fathers set sail to America, taking the English Bible with them. This was an immensely important step in the diffusion of the bible world-wide, which was further enhanced by its use during the expansion of British influence across the world with the East India Company, the establishment of colonies in Africa, and the discovery of Australia and New Zealand.
Four hundred years later, the King James Version of the Bible continues to inspire people from all walks of life and faith traditions and is regarded as the most influential book ever published in the English language. H.L. Mencken, a 20th Century American writer, praised it as “probably the most beautiful piece of writing in all the literature of the world.”
Celebrate Your Faith has a number of special 400th anniversary products in our Bible Boutique to celebrate this milestone. Remember, we can personalize any of these Bibles for you, for a gift, or any special occasion!
KJV Family Bible 400th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
This beautifully crafted family Bible will become a treasured heirloom for generations to come! This new edition contains a special full-color celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version. Bonded brown leather.
400th Anniversary KJV 1611 Bible and NKJV Bible 2-Volume Commemorative Set 
This two volume set contains the New King James Version and the original KJV 1611 edition. This version has authentic spellings, capitalization, and punctuation used by the 1611 translators themselves, before centuries of changes began to occur. Set in roman type for easier reading, it includes the original notes, references, and books of the Bible, including the Apocrypha, as in 1611.
The King James Study Bible 400th Anniversary Edition
The most comprehensive King James Version study Bible published in 50 years, The King James Study Bible has 2,000-plus pages packed with thousands of notes and commentaries from respected conservative scholars. Also includes a 24-page full-color historical booklet commemorating the 400th anniversary of the King James Version.
KJV 400th Anniversary Bible – Black Genuine Cowhide Leather
This KJV 400th Anniversary Bible celebrates this passionate rendering of God’s Word, presenting it in a highest quality format for those who love the translation’s rich heritage and reverent language.
This study guide and prayer book celebrate the history of the King James Version of the Bible with topical Scripture text and historical information to bring encouragement, comfort, and joy to the reader. Scripture selections are divided into 45 topics that shed light on the vastness of God’s love for each one of us.
We have much more in our Bible Boutique! To view all of our King James Bibles or other translations follow the links below:
For more information on the 400th Anniversary of the King James Version, visit the following websites:
The King James Version 400th Anniversary
First Communion
The First Holy Communion is traditionally a Catholic Church ceremony, but it may also be celebrated by Anglicans and some Protestant denominations, particularly Lutherans.
During First Communion, a person first receives the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (the Body and Blood of Christ). The Roman Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is actually present in the elements of the Eucharist, and that once they are blessed and consecrated, they cease to be mere bread and wine and they become Christ. Some other denominations treat Communion as a symbolic meal or a token of remembrance.
Whether it is perceived literally or figuratively, partaking of Holy Communion can bring you closer to Christ and help you focus on His finished work and what His broken Body and shed Blood mean for your life today. His Body was broken so your body could be healthy (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 11:24). His Blood was shed for forgiveness of sins and to make you the righteousness of God in Christ (Matthew 26:28; John 6:56; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7). He redeemed you from the curse of the law by His shed Blood (Galatians 3:13), so that you could have a life of blessing and abundance (John 10:10).
Roman Catholics believe this event to be very important, as the Eucharist is one of the central focuses of the Catholic Church. First Communion typically takes place around age seven or eight. This is a wonderful age in a child’s life to place the proper importance on regularly receiving Communion and training them as to how this can be an important way to focus on and honor Christ’s sacrifice.
First Communion should first and foremost holy, which simply means “separated unto God”. It should also be a memorable and special occasion that a child can reflect on as an crucial point in their walk of faith. Truly, First Communion is an initiation into one of the Great Mysteries. Parents and godparents are responsible for preparing the child by firmly grounding him/her in basic catechesis.
Click this link for more in depth information on Holy Communion.
First Communion is a notable and festive occasion for Roman Catholic families. Traditions surrounding First Communion usually include large family gatherings and parties to celebrate the event and special clothing is usually worn. The clothing is often white to symbolize purity.
Gifts of a religious nature are usually given. Rosaries are a very popular First Communion gift. Rosaries can be used to guide a child to prayer and fellowship with God. Beads, in fact, have long been a spiritual tool. The Middle English word “bede” means “prayer.” The expression “to bid (or tell) the beads” meant to say one’s prayers.
Other special gifts of religious jewelry, keepsake Bibles and prayer books, and religious statues and icons are also very traditional. They are a wonderful way to convey your support and excitement for this foundational step in the life of faith of a child.
Shop our incredible selection of First Communion gifts today!
January Birthstone – Garnet
Garnet is the official birthstone for the month of January, according to the National Jewelers Association (USA).
Garnet, as a precious stone, carries the following meanings:
• Purity
• Truth
• Faithfulness
• Friendship
• Awareness
• Commitment
• Regeneration
Garnets have a history of being exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they would meet again.
Having a distinct gemstone assigned to each month of the year can be traced back to the Breastplate worn by Aaron, which is described in the book of Exodus.
“And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.” Exodus 28:17-21 KJV
The first century Jewish historian Josephus proclaimed a connection between the twelve stones in Aaron’s breastplate and the twelve months of the year.
The idea of wearing a gemstone corresponding to the month of a person’s birth is a modern one that scholars trace to 18th century Poland, with the arrival of Jewish gem traders in the region. The modern list of birthstones has been unchanged since its initial definition in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers in the USA.
Garnet is the only recognized birthstone for January, but the garnet family encompasses a diverse range of colors. The color red occurs most frequently, but there are also garnets showing different shades of green, pale to bright yellow, fiery orange and fine earth- and umbra-shades. Blue is the most rarely seen garnet color.
The Gregorian calendar has poems (of unknown author) matching each month with its birthstone:
By her who in January was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
Yom Kippur ~ 18 September 2010
Rothschild Mahzor, 1492, Italy. Image courtesy of the Jewish Theological Seminary
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for Jews. Atonement and repentance are its central themes. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known as the High Holy Days.
According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each person’s fate for the coming year into a book, the Book of Life, on Rosh Hashanah, and waits until Yom Kippur to “seal” the verdict. During the ten Days of Awe, Jews try to amend their behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God and against other human beings. The evening and day of Yom Kippur are set aside for public and private petitions and confessions of guilt. At the end of Yom Kippur, one considers one’s self absolved by God.
For Jewish believers, Yom Kippur is seen more as a day of prayer and intercession on behalf of the people of Israel. Of course, we must have a clean heart when approaching God in this matter, just like the Temple priest did before he asked for mercies over his people.
The high priest first made atonement for personal sin (Leviticus 16). As believers we are still in need of introspection and repentance (Psalm 139:3, 1 John 1:9). We continue to have a need to humble our hearts before God (Psalm 34:183.
The high priest next made atonement for the tabernacle (Numbers 18). But those earthly items still needed atonement yearly in order to be fit for God’s dwelling. As believers, this is important because 1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that today, our physical bodies are temples of God, because the Holy Spirit lives in us. Even though Jesus (Yeshua) bears our iniquity (Isaiah 53:6) we still need to make atonement to allow the presence of God to fill us in a greater measure.
The high priest then interceded for God’s forgiveness upon the community. As believers, we are called to pray and intercede for the communities to which we belong, be they physical, emotional, geographical, spiritual, vocational, etc. Examples of intercession can be found many places in the Bible, including Exodus 32:11-14, Daniel 9:2-19, Isaiah 58, Ezra 9:1-6, Romans 8:26, Hebrews 7:25.
Yom Kippur begins in great solemnity as the ten days of repentance are concluded, but ends with great joy as atonement is made for the priest, the temple, and the community.
Messianic Believers also traditionally read from Hebrews 5-7 on Yom Kippur, which speak about Yeshua as the High Priest according to “the order of Melchizedek.”
Our sins are cleansed by the blood of Yeshua, our Savior and Messiah, but we participate in Yom Kippur by fasting and praying for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel as priests and representatives of the High Priest Yeshua today!
See Yom Kippur gift ideas on CelebrateYourFaith.com
Rosh Hashanah – 9 September 2010
Esslingen Mahzor, Germany, 1290. Image courtesy of the Jewish Theological Seminary
Rosh Hashanah, or Jewish New Year, is a Jewish holiday that is ordained in Leviticus 23:24 as “Zicaron Terua” (“a memorial with the blowing of horns”). As such, it is also referred to as the Feast of Trumpets.
Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days, “Days of Awe”, or “Ten Days of Repentance”, which are ten days specifically set aside to focus on repentance, introspection, and making amends with others, culminating with the holiday of Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah focuses on the majesty and sovereignty of God to begin this time of repentance, and the shofar blasts wake us up to the need for repentance.
The day of Rosh Hashanah is referred to as a memorial. Days that are memorials are often a time for renewing commitments. Tradition teaches that Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the first day of creation. Creation speaks of an initially pure relationship with God. As believers, this relationship is restored to us through our belief in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Rosh Hashanah can be used as a time of prayer, introspection and repentance which lead to a renewal of our commitment to a holy relationship with God.
View our Rosh Hashanah gift ideas on CelebrateYourFaith.com.
September birthstone ~ sapphire
The idea of “birthstones” or a gemstone for specific months made its way into the Judeo-Christian tradition through the description of the breastplate of Aaron, the High Priest, in Exodus 28 and 39. Over the centuries theologians have debated the importance and symbolism of these gems, and even the identity about what specifically some of the gems may have been. (Read more about this in our post on the origins of symbolic gifts for birthdays and anniversaries.)
September’s birthstone is the sapphire. Like the ruby, the sapphire is a form of the mineral corundum. The presence of trace oxides determines the color of the stone. Sapphires come in many colors, but blue is the most well-known and valued.
Sapphires are the stone of truth and fidelity. This historic association with faithfulness is one of the reasons why sapphires are second only to diamonds in their popularity in engagement rings. The heavenly blue color of sapphires is also symbolic of a joyful devotion to God.
See our selection of sapphire items on CelebrateYourFaith.com.
Is the “Old Testament” worth studying?
Made you look! :-) Of course it is. Here are some of the reasons why.
The Bible is a progressive revelation. If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it; you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending. . . The OT testament also contains vast quantities of wisdom that the New Testament does not share. Many of these are contained in the Psalms and Proverbs.
- Without the Old Testament, we would not understand the Jewish customs which were a big part of the life of Jesus and the early church.
- Without the Old Testament, we would not know the numerous detailed prophecies that could only have come true if the Bible is God’s word.
- The Old Testament contains numerous lessons for us through the lives of its many fallible characters.
- Without the Old Testament, we would not know about the promises God will yet fulfill.
In summary, the Old Testament is a mirror that allows us to see ourselves in the lives of OT characters and helps us learn vicariously from their lives. It sheds so much light on who God is and the wonders He has made and the salvation He has wrought. It shares so much comfort to those in persecution or trouble (see Psalms especially). It reveals through repeatedly fulfilled prophecy why the Bible is unique among holy books—it alone is able to demonstrate that it is what it claims to be: the inspired Word of God. It reveals volumes about Christ in page after page of its writings. It contains so much wisdom that goes beyond what is alluded to or quoted in the NT. In short, if you have not yet ventured in depth into its pages, you are missing much that God has available for you.
CYF staffer Cheryl called our attention to GotQuestions.org, the source for this material; we agreed that it was worth sharing here, and hope it may prove helpful to you, too.
August birthstone ~ Peridot
The idea of “birthstones” or a gemstone for specific months made its way into the Judeo-Christian tradition through the description of the breastplate of Aaron, the High Priest, in Exodus 28 and 39. Over the centuries theologians have debated the importance and symbolism of these gems, and even the identity about what specifically some of the gems may have been. (Read more about this in our post on the origins of symbolic gifts for birthdays and anniversaries.)
If your birthday is in August, you have lots of company – it’s the month in which more people celebrate birthdays than any other.
The birthstone for August is the peridot, a gem variety of the mineral chrysolite or olivene (chrysolites are the name by which peridots are mentioned in the Bible). Peridots are a beautiful, almost glowing green color, ranging from leafy green to olive, which in the past have often been mistaken for emeralds; it’s now believed that Cleopatra’s famous emeralds may actually have been fine dark green peridots.
Peridots were often used for decoration in medieval churches and reliquaries; they may have been brought to Europe by the Crusaders. Peridots, along with enamel and other gemstones, can be seen adorning the 12th-century Shrine of the Three Magi in Cologne Cathedral.
Historic lore associates the peridot with healing, probably due to its verdant color; it is also associated with marital happiness and is the theme for the 16th anniversaries.
You can view our selection of peridot gift suggestions on CelebrateYourFaith.com.
Early and medieval church cross forms and their meanings
Many stylized cross forms arose during the Middle Ages in Europe. These beautiful crosses have strong symbolic values in addition to representing the crucifixion of Jesus.
First, the four arms of the cross are said to represent:
- the four gospels, and
- the four directions in which the Good News spread, unto
- the four corners of the world
The Greek cross is one of the oldest known crosses, a simple square cross characterized by four arms of the same length and form. The emblem of the Red Cross is an example of a Greek cross. Greek cross forms have been found in catacombs and on early Christian tombs.
The Jerusalem cross consists of a large Greek cross with four smaller crosses, one in each quadrant. The earliest depiction of what looks like a Jerusalem cross is found on the Bayeux Tapestry, a famous pictorial embroidery showing the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
A pattée cross, popular in medieval heraldry, is defined as a cross whose arms are narrow at the center, and broader at the perimeter. The splayed ends of each arm of the cross was thought to resemble a paw, which is pattée in French.
A patonce cross is a variant of the pattée cross, but with each arm terminating in a three points or petals. The three petals represent the Trinity; the cross’s twelve petals represent the twelve Apostles. ‘Patonce’ is derived from French patte d’once, or paw of an ounce (snow leopard).
The Maltese cross is a particular type of Pattée cross (its arms are narrow at the center, broader at the perimeter); the defining feature of the Maltese Cross is that it has eight points, two on each arm of the cross. The order of the Knights Hospitaller, later the Knights of St. John, used this cross as their emblem. After they were given the island of Malta in the twelfth century their cross became known as the Maltese cross.
The eight points of the cross are said to represent:
- the Eight Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-10
- the Eight Points of Courage: Loyalty, piety, generosity, bravery, glory and honor, contempt of death, helpfulness towards the poor and the sick, and respect for the church.
- spiritual rebirth and baptism (Christ rose from grave eight days after entering Jerusalem)
These crosses are a beautiful way to declare and celebrate your faith and its heritage.
God’s perfection: Number 7
What is God trying to tell us through the number seven? In the Bible, the number seven is the symbol of completeness, fullness, fulfillment, and perfection. The frequency with which the number seven occurs in Scripture makes it clear that this is something that should not be missed.
Here are just a few examples of the occurrence of the number “7″ in the Bible:
| Seven days of creation | Genesis 1 | |
| Seven good and seven famine years in Egypt | Genesis 41 | |
| Seven lamps of the Menorah | Exodus 25:37 | |
| Seven feasts of Israel | Leviticus 23 | |
| Seven priests with seven trumpets circle Jericho seven times | Joshua 6 | |
| Daniel’s seventy sevens prophecy | Daniel 9:24-27 | |
| Seven loaves fed the 4,000, seven baskets left over | Matthew 15:32-39 | |
| Seven deacons in the early church | Acts 6:5 | |
| Seven “I am” statements in the gospel of John | John | |
| Seven elements of the armor of God | Ephesians 6:14-18 | |
| Seven churches in Revelation | Revelation 2,3 | |
| Seven promises, seals, trumpets, angels, plagues, bowls etc | Revelation | |
| Seven appearances of angels | Gospels and Acts |
In addition, the Bible makes important points using multiples of seven, e.g. “seventy”, “seventh”, “seven times seven”:
Every seventh year was a sabbatical year (Lv 25:4).
Seven times seven reiterates the sense of completeness. In the Year of Jubilee (at the completion of 7 x 7 years = the 50th year), all land is freed and returns to the original owners (Lv 25:10).
There are 70 elders (Ex 24:1) in Israel.
Israel was exiled to Babylon for 70 years (Jer 25:12) to complete its punishment.
“Seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) reiterates this still further. The Lord was not giving Peter a mathematical number of times that he should forgive another person, but rather was insisting on limitless forgiveness for a brother’s sin.
(from the Tyndale Bible Dictionary)
In looking at the world of God’s creation, the heavens and the earth, there are echoes of this occurrence of the number seven. For example, there are seven colors of the spectrum (and in rainbows); there are seven notes in the musical scale in the Western (Judeo-Christian) world.
When we started CelebrateYourFaith.com, we deliberately chose a grand opening date of July 7, 2007 as a powerful symbolic scriptural reminder of the Great Commission. CelebrateYourFaith is dedicated to reaching the world with the good news of the Gospel; it is our heart to support mission work and missionaries with proceeds from every purchase.
