Advent is almost here ... almost!

by Brad Wright on November 16th, 2010

Unless you have been locked up for the past few week and have had not contact with the outside world, then you are aware that the season of Advent is almost here.  I say almost because everyone is gearing up already!  If you have been down in the Sugar Land Town Square then you have seen the tree pointing heavenward and the three drummer boys standing at attention.

However, in the church calendar we are still one week off from the beginning of Advent.  This Sunday marks the end of the liturgical year and is called Christ the King Sunday.  I am going to copy part of an article for you here that defines exactly what we this particular day is all about.  It is copied from The Worship Resource Book.  Enjoy!

Christ the King Sunday focuses our worship on the cosmic character of Christ’s reign over the world. It is a proclamation to all that everything in creation and culture must submit to Christ and an invitation to actively and joyfully submit to his rule.

The day is celebrated widely in some traditions and is normally scheduled on the last Sunday before Advent. It therefore serves as a transitional Sunday leading directly into Advent, the Christmas cycle, and the new Christian year. The day fits well with the eschatological emphasis and anticipation of Christ’s second coming highlighted during Advent. It also helps worshipers, who are already thinking about Christmas, to remember that Christmas is about much more than a baby in a manger—it is about a sovereign Christ who came to be the “Prince of Peace.”  Whether or not this day is celebrated annually, the theme of Christ’s lordship is central to the New Testament and to the faithful practice of Christian worship.

White is the customary color for Christ the King Sunday. Gold or some purple may also be appropriate to represent royalty. Symbols of royalty may be used, especially when combined with a cross.

 

Scriptures and Statements of Faith Applying to the Theme of Christ the King The following texts are particularly appropriate for sermons or for supplemental liturgical use.

  • Belgic Confession, Art. 26, 37
  • Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A’s 50-52
  • Westminster Confession, Chap. VIII, Sec. 7-8; Chap. XX, Sec. 4; Chap. XXXIII, Sec. 1-3 Our Song of Hope, st. 20-21 Our World Belongs to God, st. 1-2, 6, 29, 45, 56-58
  • 2 Samuel 23:17
  • Psalm 2 
  • Psalm 24 
  • Psalm 93 
  • Psalm 95 
  • Psalm 97 
  • Psalm 9923:1-7
  • Jeremiah 23:1-6 
  • Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 
  • Luke 1:68-79
  • John 18:33-37 
  • 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
  • Ephesians 1:15-23
  • Colossians 1:10-20 
  • 1 Timothy 6:11-16 
  • 1 Peter 3:21-22 
  • Revelation 1:4-8 
  • Revelation 5 
  • Revelation 19:1-16