Christ Is King

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:15-20 (NASB)

I love celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving, but if you are anything like me, the early onslaught of holiday cheer is already starting to grate on your nerves.  Some of you may already be dreading the anxiety, loneliness and even grief that the holidays can sometimes bring. Others may be desperate for a season of cheer to help dwell on happier things. Whatever describes you, I invite you to consider the comfort and joy that the Christian traditions of Christ the King Sunday and Advent have to offer us. 

Christ the King Sunday marks the end of the liturgical Church calendar and is immediately followed by the season of Advent which leads us into Christmas.  On Christ the King Sunday, Christian communities gather to declare and remember that God is sovereign and Christ is our Savior King.  God is in control, in Christ God is reconciling us to Himself. In the midst of all the heartache and brokenness in our immediate circumstances, He is working His purposes and establishing His kingdom in and through us by redeeming, restoring and making all things new.  There is no stopping this kingdom that goes beyond our earthly political limitations. This is a kingdom of hearts and souls from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Victory over sin and death is won and God is on the move in the hearts of His people. On Christ the King Sunday we declare that God’s kingdom already IS as much as it is still to come, with a longing which lies at the heartbeat of the season of Advent.  Advent is the season of waiting for Messiah. In this season, we do not ignore the broken world around us, put on a smile and pretend all is well. No, we tell the truth about our griefs and name our wrongs, acknowledging our world is broken and in need of a Savior King. Then, with joy defiant, we declare to the darkness:

 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; they will be glad in Your presence as with the gladness of harvest… For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:2-3, 6-7 (NASB)

We both grieve that things are not what they should be AND rejoice that God has and is coming to heal it all. Holding that grief and joy together is after all what it means to HOPE. 

This year Christ the King Sunday falls on November 20th where I hope, together, we can celebrate and remember Christ the King as we sing:

“God our fortress and our strength, the rock on which we can depend. 

Matchless in His majesty, power and authority.

Unshaken by the schemes of man, never changing Great I Am.

Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, He is faithful through it all

Crown Him King forever! Crown Him King forever! Crown Him King forevermore!” 

Peter Jones, Aaron Keyes “God the Uncreated One”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNeGi2egsk

This Thanksgiving and through the following Advent, my prayer for you is that you may be “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:11-14 (NASB)

Angela Rector