If you happen to grab a dictionary, or rather more appropriate to the times, Google the word “eucharist” you will find a definition something to the affect of this:
Communion. Christian rite commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples.
This may be the route by which we have taken to define this specific word, but it is incorrect.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, we read the following:
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which 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.”
You will notice that in the above verse, I have underlined and put in bold the phrase “given thanks.” This phrase is where we get the word “eucharist.” In Greek it looks like this: εὐχαριστέω (yü-khä-rē-ste’-ō).
The term “eucharist” literally means give thanks. Jesus uses this throughout His ministry every time He prays for food, Jesus gives thanks. Also, in John 11:41, Jesus prays to God after he has wept for the loss of Lazarus and before He raises him from the dead, and is εὐχαριστέω (thankful) that God has heard His prayers.
One more verse for consideration:
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17
This verse says it all. Maybe we can all have a better understanding to this word “eucharist” now. As we gather together with our families and friends, not only this holiday season but for however long we are blessed with on this earth, let us give thanks to God the Father through Jesus Christ for all that we have, will have, for what has been done, and will be done for us. Just as it is important to give thanks to God for the Lord’s Supper, let us “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us through Christ Jesus.“
William Sharp 
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