The significance of these weeks on the liturgical calendar are too often lost to the secular calendar. Talk of shopping on Black Friday, or the exciting football games on Rivalry Weekend, or cooking the perfect Thanksgiving turkey overrun and overshadow all talk about Christ the King and/or the beginning of Advent. As I read Maggie's devotion for this past Friday, I realized the importance of her commitment - that we are moving into a culture where being a Christian takes us out of step with what is going on around us.
Christ the King Sunday is the culmination of a year's worth of work. On Christ the King we remember the whole cycle of God's interaction with us - we revisit the hope and expectation of Advent, the joy of Christmas, the darkness of Lent, and finally the exhilaration of Easter. The Pentecost Season has allowed us to step back and recall all of Jesus' instructions to us and now, on Christ the King, we are prepared to celebrate Christ as our King. The celebration is an opportunity for dedication. It is our chance to say, "Yes, Lord Jesus. Come into my life as I give my life to you."
It is a short-lived celebration. On the following Sunday (Advent I) we begin the cycle all over again.
Christian faith is always on the move. It seldom sits down or stops. It is therefore appropriate that the self-centered celebrations of Christ the King occupy no more than seven days of our liturgical year. But I hope they will get their due and be remembered, during these seven days.
And what a difference remembering Christ the King can make, on these seven days.
We gather at Thanksgiving to give thanks. The traditions in our particular family may vary, but the underlying theme is giving thanks to God, to our Lord. Rivalry football games are fun, but let's keep them in perspective - they are only a game, and certainly not an occasion to make disparaging remarks about the opponent. And what of all that shopping? My sister, who has taught me so much throughout my life, has recently taught me that if I really want to do something to bring joy into her life, help her to bring food to the bellies of those with too little to eat. "Send a check to the Food Pantry (where she spends so many days fixing meals.)" It is the perfect way to demonstrate your love; by showing that our love is focused in the same direction.
Yes, Christ the King makes a difference in so many ways. Christ, or King, makes all the difference.
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