Lectionary Readings for November 21, 2021
Preparation Song: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven (lyrics here)
Reflection
We are nearing the end of another year.
Try saying that to a few friends as the weekend approaches and see what happens. Most likely, you’ll receive some interesting looks at the very least. But for those of us who walk the journey of the liturgical year, this coming Sunday is the final one. For the Christian calendar, next week’s First Sunday of Advent is the beginning of a new year, as once again we begin with the story of Christ’s coming to live as one of us.
The final Sunday of the Christian year is known as Christ the King (or Reign of Christ) Sunday. It’s a day marked for giving thanks and praise for the sovereignty of Christ. As one denomination puts it:
“The day centers on the crucified and risen Christ, whom God exalted to rule over the whole universe. The celebration of the lordship of Christ thus looks back to Ascension, Easter, and Transfiguration, and points ahead to the appearing in glory of the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
It is an appropriate celebration just before Advent starts, because Advent is both a remembrance of Christ’s first coming and an anticipation of his second. Christ the King Sunday encourages us to look back on the victory of the empty tomb and also forward to the final victory of the coming kingdom.
It is a day of praise, plain and simple.
We focus this week on the glory of God and the coming reign of Christ. For our reflections this week we are pairing each of the lectionary texts with a classic hymn of the church based on those themes. You’re invited to read the words for each hymn prayerfully and pay attention to the movement of your soul as you read and pray—how do these time-honored lyrics stir you to focus on the reign of Jesus in your life, in the world, and in the world yet to come?
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing.
Praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
praise the everlasting King!
Praise him for his grace and favour
to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
praise him for his faithfulness!
Father-like he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hand he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
widely as his mercy flows!
Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face.
Sun and moon bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
praise with us the God of grace!
Reading One: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (NRSV)
Song: Come Thou Almighty King (lyrics here)
Reflection
In Daniel’s text we find the phrase “Ancient One,” which some translations render, “Ancient of Days.” In your reflections, ponder the truth that God’s reign is everlasting—it precedes and will outlive every earthly kingdom. Rejoice that his is an everlasting kingdom that will never fade away!
Come, thou Almighty King, help us thy name to sing.
Help us to praise:
Father all glorious, o’er all victorious,
Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days.
Come, thou Incarnate Word, gird on thy mighty sword
Our prayers attend.
Come, and thy people bless, and give thy Word success
Spirit of holiness, on us descend.
Come, Holy Comforter, thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour.
Thou, who almighty art, now rule in ev’ry heart,
And ne’er from us depart, Spirit of Pow’r.
Father, now call us out of our wandering.
Jesus, now come and cast out our fear.
Spirit, now preach the Son to our deafness:
Open our hearts, open our hearts.
To thee, great One in Three, eternal praises be
Hence evermore:
Thy sov’reign majesty may we in glory see,
And to eternity, love and adore.
Reading Two: Psalm 93 (NRSV)
Song: Holy Holy Holy (lyrics here)
Reflection
As is often the case in the psalms, the reign of God is depicted in relationship to the order of creation—God rules over all, and God’s majesty is greater than all! As you reflect, consider the relationship of God to his creation—what does the truth that he is Lord over all stir in you?
Holy holy holy
Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee
Holy holy holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity
Holy holy holy
Lord God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name
In earth and sky and sea
Holy holy holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity
Holy we cry holy
Holy we cry holy
Holy we cry holy
Holy we cry holy
Holy holy holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity
Reading Three: Revelation 1:4b-8 (NRSV)
Song: Crown Him With Many Crowns (lyrics here)
Reflection
The book of Revelation gives us such a powerful picture of the crucified and risen Christ, now coming to reign in glory. “All glory, honor, and dominion” is given to the one who has freed us by his sacrifice, and who has “made us to be a kingdom.” How does this image of Jesus the king, crucified, risen, and exalted resonate with your soul today?
Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon the throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but it’s own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o'er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.
Crown Him the Lord of Heav’n,
Enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the king to whom is giv’n
The wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns,
As thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns,
For He is king of all.
Reading Four: John 18:33-37 (NRSV)
Songs: Rejoice the Lord is King (lyrics here)
Reflection
Pilate questions the kingship of Jesus, and Jesus responds by pointing to his birth and his mission—to point to an everlasting kingdom that is not of this world. This is a good text to carry us into Advent, because it reminds us of why Jesus came to earth in the first place. He may arrive as a tiny baby born to a common family in a backwater town, but make no mistake—he is a King. He always has been, and forever will be. This is a reason to rejoice!
Rejoice the Lord is King,
your Lord and King adore.
Mortals give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice, rejoice
again I say, rejoice
Jesus the Saviour reigns,
the God of truth and love.
When he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above.
His Kingdom cannot fail,
he rules o'er earth and heaven.
The keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus given.
He sits at God's right hand,
till all His foes submit.
And bow to his command
and fall beneath his feet.
Rejoice in glorious hope,
Jesus the judge shall come.
And take his servants up
to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear
the archangel's voice, the trump of God
shall sound, rejoice