A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a performance of Handel’s Messiah.  It was very well-done and very touching.  In the program, next to each song title was listed the Scripture reference from which that piece was drawn.  My fiends and I thought it would be a good idea to read back through those Bible verses after the performance to get a better understanding of the message of the Messiah.  It begins with Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, then covers Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.  It ends with the hope that we have because of the work of Christ.

As I thought about reading through these passages, I decided to use them to develop a Scripture writing plan to use for the month of December.  Rather than just focusing on the birth of Christ this Christmas, I’d like to study His entire life and work to help me develop a stronger appreciation for what He’s done for me. 

I’d like to invite you to join me in this Christmas Scripture Writing Challenge. 

Why Scripture writing, you ask?  Why not just read the verses?  Here are a few reasons:

1. Scripture writing often focuses on just a couple of verses, allowing us to really absorb what we read, and meditate on it through the day.  When we just read Scripture, however, we often read quite a few verses in one sitting, which may be overwhelming when trying to pick out a single thought to meditate on. 
2. Writing out the verses forces us to slow down and really pay attention to the word choice, word order, punctuation, etc., all of which can help us better understand the text. When we just read, we tend to rush through it rather than really taking our time and focusing on what we’re reading. 
3. We can interact with the text better as we write it.  It’s hard to really do that if you just read it.  You could underline what seems significant, circle certain words or phrases that stand out to you, or even use different colored pens or pencils to really emphasize the different parts of the verse.  You may also find it helpful to write down a few notes about what the passage means or how you can apply it.  If you are more creative, you can draw pictures or decorate your journal in any way you want.

Now, I’m not saying it’s wrong to just sit down and read the Bible. Sometimes we can have a rich study of the Word just by reading it, and at times, that may be all we have time for. Any time spent in the Word is definitely beneficial. Personally, though, I find that writing out the Scripture helps me to have a more meaningful study.

If you would like to join me in this Christmas Scripture Writing Challenge, here is what you need:

• A Bible, in whatever translation that you prefer
• A pen or pencil
• A journal or notebook
• The Christmas Scripture Writing Pack, which includes the Scripture Writing Schedule and the Scripture Writing Journal Pages

Here’s how it will work:

• First, download the Christmas Scripture Writing Pack.  Print out the Scripture Writing Schedule. You can also print enough Scripture Writing Journal Pages for each day, if you choose to use them.
• Starting on the first day of December, hand write the verse or verses assigned to that day.  There will be 1-4 verses for each day.  You can just write the verses, or you can interact with them as much as you want. 

That’s it!  It’s a simple challenge, but one that I think will yield great results as we closely examine the Messiah—His prophesied coming, birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and promises for those who believe in Him.