1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death 

In just a few days it will be Christmas! Many celebrate Christmas by thinking about the baby Jesus, about angels, Nativity scenes and Children’s presentations, about carol singing, Christmas trees and decorations, holidays and summer or winter weather. Christmas is about these things but it is all about far far FAR more than just those things, as great as they all are. Christmas, really, is about Jesus. He is the reason for the season! What’s the point of a celebration if we don’t remember the real point of the celebration in the first place?

Christmas is about remembering and celebrating the incarnation, the first coming to earth of Jesus Christ!

Sadly, Christ has been largely left out of 21st century Christmas celebrations. We see everywhere “Xmas” rather than “Christmas”. But, those who know, know what it is about. To put Christ back into Christmas, is to acknowledge the start of the whole Gospel story. Christ is the reason for the season. To acknowledge Christ is the reason for the season, and to acknowledge Christ’s virgin birth, is to acknowledge much more, it is to acknowledge Christ is who He said He is, that He did what He said He did, and will do what He says He will do.

Christmas is acknowledging the earthly start of the Gospel story. It is acknowledging Christ’s first coming. Our Scripture text for this Brief Word may seem an unusual one to share at this Christmas time. But have we ever thought in the midst of our Christmas celebrations, that, He is COMING AGAIN?

Whenever we remember Christmas, and whenever we celebrate Communion, we share it as a remembrance, AND as a proclamation! We are remembering Christ and His Cross. This is Gospel 101: 1. God loved, 2. Jesus came and died and rose again, 3. We believe, 4. We live forever forgiven! WOW! What a Saviour! What a future!

But this Communion is also saying something powerful! 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (NKJV). He, Christ, is coming again a second time! This time He will come as King and Messiah! He is coming again! He promised He will! Communion means we are proclaiming, declaring, heralding, speaking forth, telling again, that He came the first time to the Cross, His sacrificial death, and, that He is coming again!

“You proclaim” involves the personal application of the meaning of the Lord’s death, (His first coming) in the believer’s life. The second coming of Christ can really only be fully understood when we appropriate His first coming. When we learn to drive a car, we must go from first to send gear, not straight to second gear!

Friends, He is coming again! Are we ready for that event? We best prepare ourselves by appropriating the blessing and the grace and the Salvation and the forgiveness offered through His first coming. In other words, do you know Him? Are your sins forgiven? The power of His first coming in our lives ensures we’re prepared for His second!

So, in the midst of the joy we rightfully have at this Christmas time, lets pause, and thank God for loving us so much to send His Son as our Saviour, but also let’s be prepared and ready for His second coming, when the full story of the Gospel will at last be complete and we’ll be ushered into His presence, to be with Him forever!

May the Lord bless you and your loved ones this Christmas, as we remember and celebrate His first coming, and eagerly wait for and anticipate His second!