Since church was snowed out this past Sunday, I briefly watched a televised service from another, more liturgical church in our area (they cancelled for 12.26 as well; this was a re-broadcast from back on a snow-free day in November).
As part of the liturgy, the congregation stood and recited the Apostles’ Creed together.
Three thoughts came immediately to mind: 1) thank God for the brave and wise souls who compiled the creed in antiquity; 2) this is really the Christian Pledge of Allegiance; and 3) we need to use it more in our services and sermons.
In terms of the translation to use, the Creed is much like the 23rd Psalm: the older, the better. It’s one of those pieces that sound more majestic and poetic in the king’s English. So here goes:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.