Children of God

Charles Dickens. The life of our Lord. London: Associated Newspapers Ltd., 1934.

In 1849, Charles Dickens wrote The life of our Lord exclusively for his own children and with no thoughts of publication. It was finally published in serial form in 1934, upon the death of his last surviving son Henry Fielding Dickens, according to dictates of the latter’s will.

Dickens’ retelling adheres faithfully to the Gospels but emphasises Christ’s message of understanding, compassion and charity whilst downplaying the miraculous side of the New Testament story. Despite the sobriety of his subject matter, Dickens manages a small hint of recognisably ‘Dickensian’ humour in the conversational passage describing locusts and camels in the Holy Lands.

Charles Dickens. The life of our Lord. London: Associated Newspapers Ltd., 1934.
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Charles Dickens. The life of our Lord. London: Collins, 1970.

Attractively illustrated child-friendly editions of The life of our Lord have subsequently been published: including at the centenary of Dickens’ death in 1970.

Charles Dickens. The life of our Lord. London: Collins, 1970.
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Charles Dickens. The life of our Lord. Illustrated by Sally Holmes. Morristown, N.J.: Silver Burdett Press, 1987.

Late 20^th century illustrated edition of The life of our Lord.

Charles Dickens. The life of our Lord. Illustrated by Sally Holmes. Morristown, N.J.: Silver Burdett Press, 1987.
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Charles Dickens. The life of our Lord. Illustrated by Bob Hoare. Southampton: Ashford Press, 1987.

Late 20^th century illustrated edition of The life of our Lord.

Charles Dickens. The life of our Lord. Illustrated by Bob Hoare. Southampton: Ashford Press, 1987.
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