Solemnity of Christ the King

Tomorrow is the Solemnity of Christ the King.  For me this is the unofficial beginning of the Advent Season. This feast, established by Pope Pius XI in the early twentieth century, was a call to focus on God's royalty over all things; individuals, families, communities and nations.

This is such a perfect entrance into the penitential season of Advent.  To recognize the supremacy of Christ in every aspect of our lives and order ourselves accordingly. All the Advent season is a preparation for the coming of King.

From Catholic Culture ....

On Christmas the Church would greet, not the Child of Bethlehem, but rather the Rex pacificus — "the King of peace gloriously reigning." Within a fortnight there follows a feast which belongs to the greatest of the feasts of the Church year, Epiphany. As in ancient times oriental monarchs visited their principalities (theophany), so the divine King appears in His city, the Church; from its sacred precincts He casts His glance over all the world....On the final feast of the Christmas cycle, the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, holy Church meets her royal Bridegroom with virginal love: "Adorn your bridal chamber, O Sion, and receive Christ your King!" The burden of the Christmas cycle may be summed up in these words: Christ the King establishes His Kingdom of light upon earth!

So while this feast is not the official beginning of Advent it is appropriate to begin your preparation for the coming of Our King, Christ Jesus.  Many parishes will have a procession in honor of Christ the King, if at all possible participate in this event. If not why not have a family procession?

Clear a spot on a table or mantle to make a small altar. A candle and a some flowers, a bowl for rosary beads and chaplets, a holy card or prayer card is all that is needed.  Then find a nice picture or statue of Jesus.  If you don't have anything appropriate then it can be something you've printed off the internet framed or mounted somehow. This can be a nice quick project for a child in the house. 

Once you have your beautiful picture select a member of the family to carry it, put them at the end of the line and process around the yard and into the house singing a hymn.

Place your picture or statue on your new altar and say a prayer together as a family. Begin with The Litany of the Sacred Heart and end with the following prayer.

O Christ Jesus, I acknowledge Thee to be the King of the universe: all that has been made is created for Thee. Exercise over me all Thy sovereign rights. I hereby renew the promises of my Baptism, renouncing Satan and all his works and pomps, and I engage myself to lead henceforth a truly Christian life. And in an especial manner do I undertake to bring about the triumph of the rights of God and Thy Church, so far as in me lies. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee my poor actions to obtain the acknowledgment by every heart of Thy sacred Kingly power. In such wise may the kingdom of Thy peace be firmly established throughout all the earth. Amen.

Prayer Source: How to Make Your House a Home by Rev. Bernard Stokes, O.F.M., Family Life Bureau, Washington D.C., 1955

Make your Christ the King altar the focus of your family prayers this coming week. Have the children concentrate on giving up the more secular of their pursuits this week and offer the sacrifice for the preparation of their souls to receive the Infant King. A Novena to the Sacred Heart would be a lovely evening devotion for the family and a prayerful way to enter the season of Advent.

Since you can't have a feast day without some kind of special food, at least not in my house you can't, a king cake is a fun way to mark the day.

Catholic Culture
From last year's post
Wilton

Another fun activity is to have the children make crowns.  This one could be adapted, as could this, or make your own version using this template.  You could also make a large crown from poster board or fun foam and hang it on the wall. Then cut out a variety of jewel shapes from different colored construction paper.  For every act of penance during advent the child can add a jewel to the crown of Christ.  The goal can be to have the most beautiful bejeweled crown to offer the Baby in the manger.

Catholic Mom has some great resource pages to help you out tomorrow. Print out this coloring page, this Mass worksheet or this one.  There is also a lesson plan which is filled with great ideas and resources.

Have a blessed feast day!

Our Christ the King altar.

Comments

[Ruth]

Thanks for the links, Mary Ellen. This is just what I was looking for. Have a blessed day tomorrrow.

[Meredith]

I love your Christ the King table, it's beautiful!! I'm adapting your glitter picture idea :) Love,

[Lori]

Thank you for your wonderful post. It was just what we needed to help us celebrate this feast day! We also used your glitter picture idea.

[Nikki Breaux]

I am looking for the music to a hymn that begins, "Christ is the King, oh, friends, rejoice. Brothers and sisters with one voice. Let the whole world know He is your choice. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!". I remember it from years back and wanted to play it at Mass this morning. Perhaps by next year I will have a copy.