“The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant…” I Timothy 1:12-17. Charles Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol was released on this day in 1843 and has never been out of print. “Scrooge” is radically changed one Christmas Eve, into a generous and happy man. Dickens’ story captures the universal longing for inner peace. The apostle Paul was once a “Scrooge” opposing Jesus and His followers. But one day he encountered the risen Christ, and his life was transformed. Jesus was born into our world and gave His life so that we can be forgiven and transformed through faith in Him.  This is at the very heart of Christmas.