OUR DAILY BREAD : THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

[cimi]

December 19
Friday


THE HEART OF
CHRISTMAS

READ:
1 Timothy 1:12-17
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The grace of our
Lord was exceedingly
abundant, with faith
and love which are in
Christ Jesus.
__1 Timothy 1:14
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Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol was released on December 19, 1843, and has never been out of print. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy, sour, stingy man who says, "Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas,' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding!" Yet, one Christmas Eve, Scrooge is radically changed into a generous and happy man. With great humor and insight, Dickens' book captures the universal longing for inner peace.

As a young man, the apostle Paul opposed Jesus and His followers with a vengeful spirit. He "made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison" (Acts 8:3). But one day he encountered the risen Christ, and his life became a different story (9:1-16).

In a letter to Timothy, his son in the faith, Paul described that life-changing event by saying, even though he was "a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man...the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 1:13-14).

Jesus was born into our world and gave His life so that we can be forgiven and transformed through faith in Him. This is the heart of Christmas! __David McCasland

````````````````````Then let us all with one accord
``````````````````Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
`````````````That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
``````And with His blood mankind hath bought. __English carol
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A change in behavior begins
with Jesus changing our heart.

*********************************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Timothy 1:12-17*********************************

12 And I thank Christ Jesus
our Lord who has enabled
me, because he counted me
faithful, putting me into the
ministry, 13 although I was
formerly a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an insolent
man; but I obtained mercy
because I did it ignorantly
in unbelief. 14 And the
grace of our Lord was
exceedingly abundant, with
faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying
and worthy of all
acceptance, that Christ
Jesus came into the world
to save sinners, of whom I
am chief. 16 However, for
this reason I obtained
mercy, that in me first Jesus
Christ might show all
longsuffering, as a pattern
to those who are going to
believe on Him for
everlasting life. 17 Now to
the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, to God who alone
is wise, be honor and glory
forever and ever. Amen.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Though Paul's words to Timothy in today's reading are not one of
the traditional biblical texts we read at Christmas, they definitely
have application for this season. In verse 15 we read: "Christ
Jesus came into the world." This is a reference not only to Christ's
coming but also to His purpose for coming. Why was he born
in human flesh? Paul answers that question by adding, "to save
sinners." Jesus' coming was a mission of rescue for a race that
desperately needed a savior.