Christ the King

Some things that you might be interested to know about this Sunday (November 20):

• This is the last Sunday of the Church year (the Church year begins again on the First Sunday of Advent – Novemer 27th.  Advent is the approximately 40 day period leading up to Christmas).
• This Sunday is sometimes called "Stir Up Sunday" because the collect reads "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen."
• The celebration of the Feast of Christ the King is relatively recent, being officially added to the Church calendar only in 1925.  Some churches celebrate Christ the King on the last Sunday in October, others on the last Sunday before Advent.
• The collect for Christ the King is: Almighty and everlasting God, who has exalted your beloved Son to be King over all, and has willed in him to make all things new: mercifully grant that all the people of the earth who are wounded and dispersed by sin, may speedily be knit together under his gracious sovereignty.
• The Lessons are: Jeremiah 23:5-8 and St. John 6:5-14

The image above has some wonderful symbolism: Jesus is reigning from the Cross (which is budding, symbolizing the life giving power of Christ's death and resurrection) and he is dressed in priestly garments (He is the great High Priest who lives to make intercession for us).  On His head He wears a crown, for He is seated upon the throne in Heaven, from which He reigns at the Father's right hand.  His feet and hands bear the nail marks - for He lives as the Incarnate One, having truly died He now lives in glory.