Episode 302: Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday

It's easy to miss in between helpings of turkey and mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving, or with the neighbors already setting up their Christmas lights and Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" playing on a loop on the radio, but at the very end of the church's year is a powerful and surprising celebration called "Christ the King" Sunday, or "The Reign of Christ" Sunday.  And even though it has only been officially observed for less than a century [a short time in the sweep of two thousand years of Christian history], Christ the King Sunday taps into a theme that runs throughout the Scriptures and goes back to our ancient roots.  Jesus is Lord... but his way of reigning is completely different from what the world expects of lords, kings, potentates, and emperors.  Jesus is the Messiah, but the One whose kingdom comes through a cross.  Jesus reigns, by serving with the washbasin and towel.  It is a subversive idea, but maybe that's exactly what we need.  In this episode, pastors Erica, Sarah,and Steve talk about the meaning, history, and scriptural roots of this day, and what it might mean for us in a culture that so often thinks power means being a bully.