The Christian year ends on November 21 in celebration. We give thanks and praise to Christ, the sovereign Lord of all creation who will come again in glory to reign (see Revelation 1:4-8). We call this special Sunday Christ the King – or more precisely, the Reign of Christ – uniting Christians throughout the world in proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord of all. On this jubilant day, we are at the threshold of the season of Advent, when we prepare for Christ’s coming as a humble child as we also look forward with hope to Christ’s coming again at the end
of time.

The Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, p. 151) explains the magnitude and uplifting message of celebrating the reign of Christ our King:

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. Christ reigns supreme. Christ’s truth judges falsehood. As the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, Christ is the center of the universe, the ruler of all history, the judge of all people. In Christ all things began, and in Christ all things will be fulfilled. In the end, Christ will triumph over the forces of evil.

Such concepts as these cluster around the affirmation that Christ is King or Christ reigns! As sovereign ruler, Christ calls us to a loyalty that transcends every earthly claim on the human heart. To Christ alone belongs the supreme allegiance in our lives. Christ calls us to stand with those who in every age confessed, “Jesus Christ is Lord!” In every generation, demagogues emerge to claim an allegiance that belongs only to God. But Christ alone has the right to claim our highest loyalty. The blood of martyrs, past and present, witness to this truth.

Behold the glory of the eternal Christ! From the beginning of time to its ending, Christ rules above all earthly powers!

He is King of kings; he is Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, the first and last, no one works like him.
He built his throne up in the air; and called his saints from everywhere;
He pitched his tents on Canaan ground; and broke oppressive kingdoms down;
I know that my Redeemer lives; and by his love sweet blessing gives;
No one works like him.

– African American Spiritual