The universe is massive. There are billions of galaxies, and there are an estimated one hundred thousand million stars in a galaxy! Our sun is a star. I think we often overlook the sheer magnitude of the universe we live in because of man-made lights. But to see the stars on a clear winter’s night out in the country or desert is truly a sight to behold. Christ is King of all of it. Christ is king of the universe. Christ’s kingship is a religious observance that is celebrated by Catholics around the world.
The Lord God will give Him the throne of David, his ancestor; he will rule in the house of Jacob forever and his kingdom will have no end, alleluia. – Canticle of Mary (LOH)
One of my fondest early childhood memories was looking out of my bedroom window on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus in the sky. It was a cold winter’s night, and the stars were out. Somewhere up there in those stars was Christ the King.
Christ Himself has proclaimed the kingdom of God to the whole world in the Gospels:
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15
Long ago in Bethlehem angels did proclaim. Their glorious anthem filled the sky, a heavenly refrain. Their song was echoed through the night to tell what God had done.
Christ’s heavenly kingship is in those twinkling stars I saw as a young child. He has won the battle here on earth. He has ascended back to heaven with his angels.
Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” John 18:36
A message was given to all of the earth: Emmanuel has come. We sing, Joy to the world! Heaven and nature sing. All declare the glory of God and welcome the newborn King.
Emmanuel grew up. He was formed in wisdom. He healed afflicted people and did great things. Emmanuel was the fulfillment of the divine plan of salvation – Christ was anointed by the Father with the Holy Spirit and established priest prophet and king
…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38
Singing, joy to the world! Heaven and nature sing. We declare the glory of God and welcome the newborn King.
Welcome the newborn King in our hearts. Advent is on the way. The Christ child will rule preaching from the Nativity a Gospel of love, peace and mercy. He will grow strong, perform miracles, save us from the clutches of the devil and ascend into heaven with his holy angels. May Jesus Christ be praised forever and ever. Amen!
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19
A song was born that Christmas night bringing Good news to all men: Unto us a Child is born to us a Son is given.
A Christmas Eve night full of stars. A night of joy of peace. A season of mercy. A labor of love for the One who would lay down His very life for us. As a star arises, can we open our hearts to the King of Peace? Where there is child like humility, there the Lord reigns supreme – sovereign king and Lord of the universe.
…He is Lord of lords and king of kings, and those with him are called, chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:14
So lift your voice and shout your praise and celebrate His birth, for the Child who came on that holy night would bring us peace on earth.
Thank you Child of Light. We celebrate you this holy night. Throughout the universe you reign supreme. For you alone are the Holy One. You alone are the Lord. You alone are the Most High. You are our Lord and savior. You are Christ the King.
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD; All the families of nations will bow low before him. For kingship belongs to the LORD, the ruler over the nations. Psalms 22:28-29
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.
Wisdom and understanding are in His house. His decrees are firmly established.
The LORD is king, robed with majesty; the LORD is robed, girded with might… Psalms 93:1
We sing, Joy to the world! Heaven and nature sing. All declare the glory of God and welcome the newborn King.
Let heaven and nature sing! Open your hearts to Christ the King. In a baptism of love, we accept Him. He completes us. He fills us with His love. This world is gone. We ascend to Him like a dove beyond the lights, beyond the stars, beyond time.
Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. John 3:5
Singing, joy to the world! Heaven and nature sing. We declare the glory of God and welcome the newborn King.
We declare the glory of God. We have a Messianic king. His anointing by the Father shows his love for us endures forever. All that is true, all that is good, all that is holy and pure, all those twinkling stars in the still of winter…God is with us this night. We embrace Him in faith. We adore Him in love. We cling to Him. He loves us forever.
As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:27
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We declare the glory of God and welcome the newborn King. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Oh Lord Jesus, Lord of the angels, Lord of every grace and blessing, rule in our hearts and do with us as you will. Reign supreme oh holy priest, prophet and king.
But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Lets declare the glory of God and welcome the newborn King. Jesus, You’re the glory of God. We welcome the newborn King.
Welcome little King. In the twinkling of an eye, you reign over heaven and earth supreme. May we serve you faithfully in this life, oh Lord. May your glory shine forth from the stars of the sky. And we wonder why we feel such love within when we live like you. Give Christ the praise that is due. This holy night and universe belong to you.
…The kingdom of the world now belongs to our Lord and to his Anointed, and he will reign forever and ever. Revelation 11:15
Finally, the People of God shares in the royal office of Christ. He exercises his kingship by drawing all men to himself through his death and Resurrection. Christ, King and Lord of the universe, made himself the servant of all, for he came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” For the Christian, “to reign is to serve him,” particularly when serving “the poor and the suffering, in whom the Church recognizes the image of her poor and suffering founder.” The People of God fulfills its royal dignity by a life in keeping with its vocation to serve with Christ. CCC786
Jesus Christ is the one whom the Father anointed with the Holy Spirit and established as priest, prophet, and king. The whole People of God participates in these three offices of Christ and bears the responsibilities for mission and service that flow from them. CCC 783
Happy Advent this year to you and your family! In closing, here are some good tidings for the season from a few of the Church Fathers.
A tiny child is born, who is a great king. Wise men are led to him from afar. They come to adore one who lies in a manger and yet reigns in heaven and on earth.” – St. Quodvultdeus,
Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die. – St. Peter Chrysologus
Christ is the eternal splendor enlightening our minds and hearts. – St. Ambrose
The Lord of hosts is himself the king of glory. He will transform us and show us his face, and we shall be saved; all our longing will be fulfilled, all our desires will be satisfied. – St. Augustine
Mine is not a kingdom of this world; but yes, I am a king. John 18:36,37