Advent Season 2012 The Significance of the Bread

During Advent the devotionals presented will deal with four significant elements; the bread, the participants, the manger and Gods Son born to save us.

Scripture Thought for the Week: Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. I Corinthians 10:16
There have always been beautifully set tables for the Christmas holiday. Grandmas china comes out of the cabinet, the silver is polished and seasonal tablecloths with matching napkins are displayed on lovely decorated tables offering specialty food items for family and friends. How freely we offer morsels of food during the holidays, but do Christians openly share the Bread of Heaven that sustains our souls for eternity? Many comparisons can be made between Jesus, the Bread of Heaven, and a loaf of bread. In reading from Bothams Educational Pages, the following article, The story behind a loaf of bread reads, Bread is perhaps the most important item in our diet; it has often been

called the staff of life. The staff of life embodies a symbol of authority that sustains.
Among the benefits of bread to the human body is energy, protein, iron, nicotinic acid (for lowering cholesterol levels) and vitiation B1 which aids to fuel the body by converting blood sugar into energy. Being available in numerous varieties, bread keeps the mucous membranes healthy and is essential for the nervous and cardiovascular system including muscular function. Additionally, to attain a beautiful golden crust a consumer should not purchase pre-wrapped bread! Bothams article suggests, Bread should be taken more seriously and enjoyed to the fullest! Re-assembling these notes to include the emphasis on Jesus Christ as the Bread of Heaven, the following points are for your consideration; Jesus Christ is the most important item in our physical and spiritual diet. He is the Staff of Life, our authority and sustainer. Through His sacrifice we are given energy to perform His will by feasting at the table of His Word which produces knowledge and the infilling of His divine strength. Bread comes in all sizes and varieties which symbolizes that the Bread of Heaven is available to everyone regardless of ethnic background, color of skin, gender, age, etc. As bread cannot be hurried in an oven during its cooking cycle, you cannot hasten the

development of Christians for it will not render effective followers. However, when multiplied bread can feed thousands. The Bread of Heaven is essential for a balanced diet rendering spiritual strength for the body and mind. As a loaf of bread is best when not kept in a wrapped container, the Bread of Heaven needs to be shared and not stored for Bread is such an important part of our lives that it

ought to be taken more seriously and enjoyed to the fullest. As we prepare for the Advent Season, Lord, help us to remember the significance of the bread. Jesus Christ, our Bread of Heaven, supplies all we need to be sustained in this life and the next. The only request you have made of us is to go and share our knowledge with others. During this Christmas may we invite family and friends to dine with us as we share the importance of breaking bread together symbolizing the body of Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose birthday we celebrate. Amen.