We are Kin of the King – Walking With Jesus

100th Anniversary of Christ the King Liturgical Celebration

The Feast of Christ the King was decreed on December 11, 1925 by Pope Pius XI in his encyclical Quas Primas (Latin, “In the First”) to remind us that Christ as God is preeminent, sovereign, before all else – first (Isa. 44:6; Rev. 22:13). Today, this liturgical celebration is commemorated by Roman Catholics and some Protestant denominations on the last Sunday of the church year, which falls between November 20-26, immediately preceding the first Sunday in Advent.

Pope Pius XI instituted this encyclical to counter the growing secularism and nationalism in the aftermath of World War I (1914-1918) as well as to denounce the aggression and other evils of an increasing number of dictators rising to power in Europe.

Unlike secular political leaders and their nations or empires that endlessly rise and fall throughout the ages, Christ and his kingdom will endure forever (1 Tim. 1:17). This is the hope in which Christians rejoice at this annual liturgical celebration.

This feast day reassures us of our victory in Christ (1 Cor. 15:57), who has the sovereign authority and power to defeat Satan, and rescues us from the demonic forces of darkness at work in the world and bring us into the kingdom of his wonderful light and glory (Eph. 6:12; Col. 1:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Jn. 3:8).

We can trust God will faithfully fulfill all his promises to us (Josh.21:45; 1 Cor. 1:9; Heb. 10:23). As Sovereign Lord, whose dominion reigns supreme (Eph. 1:19-23; Phil. 2:9), we can trust the plans of God will stand, and none can withstand the strength of his mighty hand (2 Chron. 20:6; Prov. 19:21; Isa. 46:10).

Our King has a kingdom (John 18:36), where his holy people will be forever protected from every evil, and they will finally rest in peace in the Promised Land (Lev. 26:6; Isa. 32:17-18). There, God will take away every fear and every tear (Isa. 35:10; Rev. 7:17; 21:4).

Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 1:5; 17:14; 19:16). As God’s beloved people, we have become his royal heirs (Titus 3:7), kin of the King. Let us rejoice in hope (Rom. 5:2; 12:12) over our victory in Christ!

Walking with Jesus Reflection Series, Refl. #127, Nov. 2025