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308 ratings, 4.25 average rating, 49 reviews
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published
1981
(first published 1849)
by Westminster Press
binding
Hardcover, 128 pages
isbn
085969352X
(isbn13: 9780859693523)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 477)
Read in May, 2008
I can certainly see why Dickens never wanted this work published. It is not awful. But it is definitely a summary of the life of Christ written to be at not only a child's level (thus some childlike summaries and much simplified explanations and assertions), but to his OWN children's level. There are occasional parts where Dickens is trying to teach his children good principles and actions based on the Savior's life.
He NEVER meant this to be read by others. I wouldn't have wanted such a wor...more
He NEVER meant this to be read by others. I wouldn't have wanted such a wor...more
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The tone of this book is just like a father speaking to his children, tucking them in with a bedtime story. It is a touching and personal retelling of the story of the Savior's life, with Dickens' testimony interwoven. We like to read this with the kids at Christmas time.
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Read in November, 2008
I received this book as a gift. My interest was piqued by the fact that Dickens wrote this overview of Christ's life specifically for his children, making a specific request that it not be published because it was meant to be private. It was a perfect overview for children who are old enough to read chapter books on their own. I particularly enjoyed his take on the important moral lessons taught by Christ, which he personalized for his children, such as this excerpt from pages 33-34:
<pre...more
<pre...more
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Read in July, 2008
As a Dickens lover, I found this to be really insightful and refreshing. Don't read it if you want to learn anything about Jesus Christ or his life or ministry or what was taught of his life or ministry at the time of Dickens. This book was written from Dickens to his children, as in a letter, for them to read or have read to them throughout their childhood. Though I have not read all of his works, this one is vastly different in style and wording than all his other works for (I believe) two ...more
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Read in October, 2008
This was a good book. It was a simplified version of the New Testament told in Charles Dickens' own words to his children. I especially liked the times he would stop and explain certain words that children might not know or to stop with a short editorial. I love his last paragraph where he reminds us:
"It is Christianity to do good always--even to those who do evil to us. It is christianity to love our neighbor as ourself, and to do to all men as we would have them do to us. It i...more
"It is Christianity to do good always--even to those who do evil to us. It is christianity to love our neighbor as ourself, and to do to all men as we would have them do to us. It i...more
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Read in November, 2007
Charles Dickens wrote this book for his children, and we're lucky it ever got published at all, since he specifically asked that it not be published, at least in his lifetime. It is definitely a very simplified overview of Christ's life, written to be understood by young children. I didn't gain much religious insight, but I did gain insight on the author. He was clearly a deeply religious man, and I gained new respect for him as I read this book. He wanted his children to understand the impo...more
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Read in February, 2008
A very quick read (less than an hour), this contains a personal narrative of the life of Jesus Christ given by Charles Dickens to his children. The language is informal and written so that his children could follow and understand.
While there is nothing contained within the pages that those familiar with the Bible haven't already heard, to read it so condensed, so casually and with such love is refreshing. This isn't a history lesson, nor is it a sermon. It is simply the testimony of an i...more
While there is nothing contained within the pages that those familiar with the Bible haven't already heard, to read it so condensed, so casually and with such love is refreshing. This isn't a history lesson, nor is it a sermon. It is simply the testimony of an i...more
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Read in January, 2004
This is a very nice book, although I think I expected something a little different, more insightful. In his novels Dickens can paint a human portrait so uniquely, with all its foibles and hidden strengths waiting to be revealed. But this is more of a quaint summary of the Four Gospels, which is fine becaue that's all it really claims to be. As it is, it's uplifting, sweet, with not much editorializing, but with a bit of admonishment for his own children. Worth reading once, but for real meat on ...more
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You definitly need to read this as if it was your grandfather reading it to you or telling you the story of the life of Christ. With a few minor adjustments it is a perfect bedtime story for our children (it amazes me how having the fullness of the gospel helps things make more sense and more beautiful). You can tell the Dickens loved his children and wanted him to love our Lord as well. I gave it 4 stars as the New Testament itself would get 5 from me.
Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
Families wanting to teach about the life of Christ to their children.
I found this unique book recently. Reading it is a lovely experience. My children listen with great interest. They really think about what they are hearing. The other day my oldest said "I am so glad Jesus was born, everything in the world would be different if he was not."
Dickens wrote it in simple language just for his own kids. Like poetry, it gently moves through the life of Christ in a way that the kids get the most out of it.
Dickens wrote it in simple language just for his own kids. Like poetry, it gently moves through the life of Christ in a way that the kids get the most out of it.
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Read in December, 2007
This book was a Christmas gift from a friend and what a powerful little book it was. Such an inspirational read it was so delicately written by Dickens for his children. So interesting and touching to see the love he had for them and how he wished to convey his love by letting them know his knowledge and love for our Savior. A must read for all ages anytime of the year but how inspiring at Christmas!
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Read in March, 2008
I haven't read alot of Dickens, but this was a sweet gesture. He wrote this for his children. He never wanted it published. He goes through the life of Jesus Christ in his own words and understanding. I appreciated his commentary and his opinion of how and why these events happened. What a special gift to leave your loved ones...your testimony of Jesus Christ!
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Read in December, 2006
I love this book. It is a tender account of the Savior's life, written by Charles Dickens to his children. It is said that he would read this to them every Christmas. I read this to our children two Christmases ago and it was a beautiful experience. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
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Read in April, 2004
Fast, easy read. This book is not long, but it is powerful. The book was written for Dicken's children, not really meant to be published. He wrote his testimony of Christ, and all the good that He did, and tried to leave that impression for his posterity. Highly recommended.
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Read in July, 2008
This was a book written only for his children, never to be published. It is sweet and intimate especially as you remember this. I enjoyed it and would love to make it a tradition to read to my children every December when they are a little older...in a year or two.
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Read in December, 2004
recommends it for:
Christians
I love this book. I love Charles Dickens eyes that you see through when you read this book. His gentle and loving perspective on the life and parables of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just beautiful. I love to read this one to my children at Christmas time.
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Read in January, 2005
This is a very simple story that Dickens wrote to his children. It wasn't published until the last of his children was old and wanted it to be shared with the world. It's very simple and obviously written for the young. It was a different kind of Dicken's.
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Fabulous and sweet. If you like Dickens, this to me was a great way to see clearly to the heart of the author. Nice to read this and then read some of his other works. His intentions and meaning become more clear when you know his true beliefs.
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Read in December, 2007
A short, great, straightforward synopsis of the life of Christ. I read this during the Christmas Season Holiday to my daughters every night before bed. It only took two weeks. It is a tradition I think I may continue for the years ahead.
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Read in February, 2008
I really liked this. Dickens wrote it for his children, and it tells about the life of Jesus Christ in a very simple way. He really focused on Christ accepting everyone equally, and having love and compassion for our fellow man.
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