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The Solemnity of Christ the King is a proclamation to the world that Christ is lord of creation.
What do we need to fear? Christ is on his throne.
This feast is fairly new in Church history. Pope Pius XI added it to the liturgical calendar in 1925. He hoped it would help the Church respond to rising secularism and atheism.
This feast day celebrates God's supreme authority and renews our call to imitate Christ's kingship.
While earthly powers pass away to nothing, the things of Christ are eternal. As the USCCB put it:
“This solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever.”
And today’s feast is a call to imitate Christ's “servant leadership.” He modeled for us a kingship of humility, gentleness, and loving service.
Ready to celebrate today’s feast with your family or friends? Here are 5 meaningful ways to honor Christ the King.
1Pray
Make an Act of Dedication to Christ the King, on your own or together with your family or friends.
2Talk about Christ’s kingship
Talk together about what today’s feast means. Ask your kids, “How does it change our lives that Christ is king of the universe?”
Some parents like to use the example of superheroes to explain Christ’s all-powerful role. You might show your kids this quick 2-minute video explaining the feast:
If you've done the first two things on this list, that's all you really need to do to honor this feast.
But to add some extra excitement and creativity to today's celebration, read on!
3Enjoy a kingly feast
Here’s a very fun idea: Put your heads together to create a “feast fit for a king” for this week’s Sunday dinner!
You might make Chicken a la King and serve a bundt cake “crown” for dessert. Or recreate the roasted chicken, corn, and potatoes that would be served at a kingly feast.
You might include some fun knightly jousting (sure to be a hit with the kids!) and remind them that they’re called to be the knights of Christ. A kingly celebration is something your kids will remember, and with it, the lessons of today’s feast day.
4Make a kingly craft
Check out this Christ the King craft at Catholic Icing. It’s a sweet reminder of what today’s feast is all about.
5Enjoy music for the occasion
Check out this “Christ the King Playlist” of king-themed worship songs.
Here is a mix of traditional hymns, contemporary worship songs, and classical music for the occasion:
- “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
- “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
- “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King”
- “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship
- “Jesus Shall Reign” by Keith and Kristyn Getty
- “Our God Reigns” by Leonard E. Smith Jr.
- “Majesty” by Jack Hayford
- “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah
These songs can help your family enter into the spirit of today’s great feast.
