C: Communion – God’s Gracious Feast of Presence

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me,’” (1 Cor. 11:23–25, ESV).

Advent invites us to anticipate God’s coming, and communion is a sacred gift where His presence is profoundly near. In the bread and wine, Christ offers Himself, body and blood, to nourish and sustain us. This holy meal is God’s gracious act, bringing us into communion with Him and one another. Each time we gather before the altar, we receive the promise of forgiveness, life, and salvation, tasting God’s love in a tangible way.

Communion is God’s presence made real, a feast where heaven meets earth. In Advent, as we prepare for the Incarnation, this meal reminds us that God comes to dwell with us, not in grandeur but in humble elements of bread and wine. Here, God’s grace is not abstract but received, tasted, and shared. The table welcomes those who seek Him, uniting us as one body in Christ. As we light Advent candles, communion glows as a mark of God’s nearness, a foretaste of the eternal banquet. This gift strengthens us to walk in hope, knowing God is with us, His presence a sustaining us through every trial and joy.

Prayer – Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for the gift of Your body and blood, given for us in love. In this holy meal, draw us close to You and to one another. As we prepare our hearts during Advent, fill us with the hope and peace that Your presence brings. Nourish our faith through this feast and keep us steadfast until we share in the eternal banquet with You. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Your Servant in Christ,

Rev. Brian K. Thieme
Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church Columbia, Mo.
Missouri District