Luke 22:17-20 (KJV)
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

The definition of communion according to Google: “noun – the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.” Some Christian churches use terms such as Sacrament (a ceremony)and Eucharist (the communion ceremony) to identify acts of faith. Another sacrament would be Baptism.

I believe an individual can give oneself communion however many believe that it is something that can only be done under the leadership of a church leader. Communion is an activity that I think every Christian should partake of at least once in a lifetime. The Apostle Paul states “For as often as you..” indicating to me that there is no set number of times celebrate communion. I don’t believe there is a particular setting, home vs. Church, in which this activity has to be done.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (KJV)
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Communion is to be taken with an attitude of appreciation and an understanding of what the actions represent.

When we partake of the bread and the wine, the elements used, it serves as a reminder of why God came to this earth. “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20) In participating in this sacrament we are saying: I agree with God’s instructions on how to live which are the requirements for being grafted into His kingdom.

Jesus did His part: “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done”. (Luke 22:42 KJV) He became the sacrificial lamb required for the forgiveness of sins. He is the Lamb without spot or wrinkle, the perfect offering to Father God for the sins of all mankind. It is not literal blood and body that we partake of but symbolic, we accept what He did on a personal level.
Jesus came to this earth and died for me. My desire is to live for Him, I partake of communion as a reminder of this covenant agreement between me and God the Father.
Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

When we participate in communion this is what we should remember: Had Yeshua refused to to endure the cross, had Mary refused to carry the Son of God we would be destined for hell.

Christmas is more than a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, it is a celebration of God’s love.

Written by Marsha L Floyd