“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 till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). 

This Sunday, the first day of the week, Christians everywhere will be gathering around the Lord’s table to observe the Lord’s supper to commemorate the death of our Lord and Savior. We do this every first day of the week, like the early Christians did (Acts 20:7), as the true commemoration of Christ and the only one found in scriptures that we are to do.

Jesus’ birth is recorded in the scriptures, but there is no command or example teaching us that we should have an observance to commemorate that birth (annual or otherwise). Much emphasis is to be placed on the life of Christ and most especially His teaching, but more important is His death through which we are able to be forgiven of our sins and have the hope that we can spend eternity with God in heaven.

In the same way, we should not place our emphasis on our own birth or the life that we live here on earth, but should be looking ahead to the next life with the hope that we will be found worthy to live in a paradise that is prepared for us and not be condemned to a eternity of suffering and exile from God.In this way, too, our death is more important than the pleasures that we may enjoy in this life.

The important thing is to be ready when death finally comes to us or the Lord returns, whichever comes first.Jesus said in Luke 12:37: “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.” We are to be watching at all times for our master, our Lord and Savior, to return with all the preparations made and living in such a way that He will receive us and say “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

Meanwhile, we must not place all our emphasis on this life, though we live it to prepare for the next, and remember the Lord’s death and suffering that makes it possible for us to spend eternity with Him and with the Father in heaven. If Jesus had not died for our sins, His life would have meant nothing, though He taught us many things.

Our salvation comes because of the sacrifice He made on the cross. Let us never forget this fact, for it is the greatest event that has ever happened on planet earth. His birth, though important, was not made the focus of our lives as Christians by scripture, but his death is our focal point. We are to commemorate it on every first day of the week and think of it always as we live our lives throughout each week.

To celebrate His birth is to celebrate this life. Let’s remember His death, as we are taught, and so celebrate that He has made the next life possible. It is what God would truly have us do. Will He find us watching and waiting in anticipation when He returns and usher us into eternal life. Let’s hope that we all do what is necessary, according to the scriptures, to make it so.

May God bless and keep you until next time.