Christ the King
Christ the King
The meaning of the title Christ or Messiah is “king”, literally “anointed one”—chosen and set apart to rule. And we know that in Christ’s first Advent—Christmas—he was far from recognized as such by all but a very few. Rather than being crowned with “a royal diadem”—as the great hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name declares—he was crowned with thorns while soldiers mocked him “Hail, King of the Jews”; and Pilate cynically tried to “end” him by condemning him to death, labeling him with those same sarcastic words.
We believe, though, that his death wasn’t an ending at all, but rather, when God raised him from the dead he proved that he was indeed the king of a powerful and eternally enduring kingdom. And we believe that he has, for that reason, been exalted to the highest place.
This Sunday we will celebrate The Feast of Christ the King—the last Sunday of the year on the Church calendar, and the end of Ordinary Time.
See you then.
Steve+
Advent Resources
Advent—which begins Sunday, November 30—is a season of preparation and anticipation; preparing our hearts to rightly celebrate the coming of Jesus in humility at Christmas, and to anticipate Christ’s second coming in power and glory. It’s a penitential season similar to Lent, reflected in the Church’s use of purple vestments and decor, and the practice of spiritual disciplines like prayer, self-denial, and works of charity, all of which are intended to lead us to generosity and humility and repentance.
A couple of resources I have found remarkably insightful and strengthening in this time are “Waiting on the Word: a poem a day for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany” by Malcolm Guite. As a poet of some renown, and Anglican priest, Guite writes excellent and thoughtful biblical and literary commentary on each of the poems by authors ancient and modern. There’s also “Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas” an anthology of readings from the likes of C. S. Lewis, Dorothy Day, T. S. Eliot, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and St John Chrysostom. Both books can be opened at leisure or followed as a guide to daily devotions. Either way, their subtle and beautiful reflections on the true meaning of the season will give new dimension to the phrase “holiday preparations”.
Here are some other resources:
Morning Prayer with us on Zoom, Tuesday through Friday mornings 8-8:30AMEvening Prayer & Bible Study with Bishops Julian, Marc, and David via Zoom (link to follow) on Wednesdays Dec. 3, 10, and 17, 7:30PMA four-part series from the Living Through the Word Podcast with contributions from Bishop Julian, Bishop Marc, Archbishop Glenn Lyons and Pastor Chris Castaldo.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
“5th” Sunday Potluck—Sunday, following worship. Please bring an entree and (if possible) a side dish or dessert to share. Table service and bottled water will be provided. If you’d like something else to drink, bring it along!
Ladies’ Advent Tea at Tutbury—Saturday, December 6, 3:00–5:00PM. Email Christa Dittmar or Lauren Wishart to register or for more information.
AACS Lessons and Carols—Friday, December 5, 6:00pm, in the sanctuary. The Annapolis Area Christian School’s Chorus and Madrigal Singers—led by our own Emily Hendrix—will host a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. We will sing together, as well as hear music from Morten Lauridsen, Benjamin Britten, and more!
Redeemer Annual Meeting—Sunday, December 7, following worship
Lessons and Carols and Wine and Favorite Hors d’ Oeuvres Reception—Christmas Eve, 5:00pm
Christmas Day Holy Communion—11:00am
Men’s Bible Study—Thursdays, 7:00am @ 1309
Photo: Gabriel Rissi on Unsplash
