Tomorrow, November 22 is "Christ the King" Sunday, a day to celebrate that Jesus is Lord over all creation and to look forward to that time in the future when Jesus will appear again and make all things new. This will be the time when that portion of "The Lord's Prayer" will finally be fulfilled; "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven."Until then, the primary mission of the church through the power of the Holy Spirit, is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our community and world. How exciting to know that as citizens of the kingdom of Jesus Christ and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are called to participate in reclaiming this world for Jesus Christ until that day when Christ returns to establish his kingdom fully on this earth.
In a similar way, Ascension Day, celebrated on the 40th day after Easter Sunday (or the Sunday following Ascension Day) is a day the church celebrates when the resurrected Lord ascended into heaven. When using the word "ascension" it's not so much the meaning of going into the sky as it is that Jesus ascended to his throne ("seated at the right hand of the Father" - The Apostles' Creed.)
So basically, Christ the King Sunday and Ascension Day (Ascension Sunday) are one and the same. Christ the King Sunday is a more recent addition to the church's liturgical calendar and is always celebrated on the Sunday prior to the 1st Sunday of Advent.
Christ the King Sunday Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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