FROM THE MANGER TO THE TABLE: THE LOVE THAT GAVE ITSELF FOR US

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:10–11; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 Estimated Time: 35–40 minutes

INTRODUCTION

Beloved brothers and sisters, we are living in a very special season. We are less than two weeks away from Christmas, a time when the world prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Lights, music, gifts, family gatherings—everything points to something greater, even if often in a superficial way.

Today, however, the Lord grants us an even deeper privilege: to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

Christmas reminds us that God became flesh. The Lord’s Supper reminds us that this flesh was given for us.

The manger points to the cross. The cradle points to the table of communion.

Today, we are invited to contemplate Christ from birth to sacrifice, from the manger to the cross, from the cross to the table.

I. CHRISTMAS REVEALS A GOD WHO DRAWS NEAR

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”(Luke 2:10–11)

Christmas does not begin with gifts, but with good news: 👉 God did not remain distant. 👉 God did not send only a message. 👉 God came in person.

Jesus was born humble, vulnerable, dependent. The Creator entered creation. The Eternal entered time. The Holy One entered a broken world.

1 John 1:1–2 NKJV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

This teaches us something essential: 🔹 God does not save us from a distance. 🔹 He enters our reality, our pain, our history.

But Christmas is not the end of the story. It is only the beginning.

II. CHRISTMAS POINTS TO A GREATER PURPOSE: THE CROSS

Jesus was not born merely to move our emotions. He was born to die.

The manger already cast the shadow of the cross. The cloths that wrapped the baby anticipated the burial shroud.

Christ came with a clear purpose:

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

We do not celebrate only a birth, but a redemptive mission.

And that mission finds its clearest expression in what we celebrate today: the Lord’s Supper.

III. THE LORD’S SUPPER REMINDS US OF THE COST OF LOVE

“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”(1 Corinthians 11:23–24)

At the table, the Christ who was born in Bethlehem says to us: 👉 “This body that was once laid in a manger is now given for you.”

The bread reminds us that:

The body was broken

Isaiah 53:4–12 NKJV

4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Sin was carried (1 John 1:7)

The debt was paid (Rom.6:23)

The cup reminds us that:

Blood was shed

A new covenant was sealed

Forgiveness was offered

Christmas without the cross becomes mere sentimentality. The Lord’s Supper without Christmas loses its meaning.

Together, they reveal the complete love of God.

IV. THE LORD’S SUPPER CALLS US TO REFLECTION AND HOPE

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”(1 Corinthians 11:26)

The Lord’s Supper points to the past, but also to the future.

🔙 We look to the cross. ➡️ We look to Christ’s return.

Celebrating the Lord’s Supper near Christmas reminds us that:

The Christ who came will come again

The Savior who was born will reign

The Lamb who was slain will return as King

Therefore, the Lord’s Supper is not a moment of haste, but of:

Self-examination

Repentance

Gratitude

Renewal of faith

V. THE LORD’S TABLE IS A CALL TO TRANSFORMATION

The Lord’s Supper is not merely a symbol; it is a calling.

👉 A call to reconciliation 👉 A call to holiness 👉 A call to practical love 👉 A call to live as those who have been reached by grace

It makes no sense to celebrate the Christ who gave Himself if we continue living for ourselves.

Christmas reminds us that He came for us. The Lord’s Supper challenges us to live for Him.

CONCLUSION

As we approach the Lord’s Table today, let us do so with reverence and joy.

Let us remember:

The baby who was born

The man who lived without sin

The Savior who died

The Lord who rose again

The King who will return

May this service, on the doorstep of Christmas, be not merely a religious observance, but a deep encounter with Christ.

(Praise Team & Deacons)

TRANSITION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER

Now, brothers and sisters, let us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Supper. Pray, examine your heart, confess your sins, and give thanks.

The table is set not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious.

Amen.