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“I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.”

John 18:36 (according to the message)

Friends,

This Sunday we mark the reign of Christ the King, a feast of the church otherwise known as “New Years Eve.” It's New Year's eve because we move from one year of lectionary readings (ie: life with Jesus) into a new one. A new one which will have its own flavor and theme, a flavor and theme which is not unlike our own lives too. Lives which change with the progression of time.

So we gather to mark the end of something and the beginning of something else, with a king. A king that tells us they are not like the world's kind of king. So what are we to do with this kingship we celebrate, in a world where perhaps Kings are not so welcome anymore.

But why a king, a king which suggests action. Why a king now as we move into Advent, a time of waiting rather than action. Well, I think it's a king- but not like any king we’ve known, because it asks us a question about leadership. Leadership within ourselves, and leadership in where God has planted us to grow in the world too.

It is this leadership, leadership which I believe is about deeper relationships in all things with God because of how all things are from God, which our stewardship campaign this year is asking us to think about as well. Stewardship, of course, is not just about our money. Its about taking care of every aspect of our lives for the sake of relationship with someone else. So when we think about the stewardship of our leadership to build relationships with others- I wonder what we do with that?

I think we live the gift of your life in such a way that it offers the gift of light to someone around you today. That, at its heart, is what this Sunday asks us. For the kingship of Christ is the gift of his life for the freedom of the world. A world which takes every small gift of our lives in order for the light to be seen by those around us.

Light and love we celebrate here every week.

See you sunday!

Alex+