When I was a child one of my favorite television shows was The Friendly Giant. I loved how the
Friendly Giant no matter how enormous he was always made time for those who
were lesser than he. I loved how he arranged the chairs by the fire place, talked
with guests, enjoyed a tune or two and always had solid advice and a
compassionate way to deliver it. I always looked at the Friendly Giant as a
king, probably because he lived in a castle. However I also remember thinking
if I was ever king (because at that age I thought that it could be a possible
career option – well maybe I thought that for a while) I would like to be like
the Friendly Giant.
I have been thinking about The Friendly Giant this week as we
celebrate Christ the King. I see the virtues, the characteristics, the
life-giving qualities of our Lord and King Jesus in the simple images of this
childhood show. I wonder how often I forget that being a kingdom dweller in the
reign of Christ the King means I need to arrange the chairs to be a place of welcome,
spend time to listen to others stories of the sick and imprisoned, sing a song
of praise to our God, and share the gospel through living it with compassion
and not mere words. Yes, where do I build the kingdom of my King? Where do I
give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, cloth the
naked, visit the sick or the imprisoned? For the least of these are very much a
part of the kingdom of God – it really is quite simple and yet I find excuses,
reasons, ways not to live the gospel of Christ my King and to heed the simple wisdom
I found in the Friendly Giant.
Christ my King,
for the times I fail to build
your Kingdom.
Lord have mercy.
Christ my King
for the times I forget about my
brothers and sisters.
Christ have mercy.
Christ my King
for the times I miss seeing you
in my every day.
Lord have mercy.
The challenge and gift of Christ the King is to build the
kingdom for all to be welcome. Where can you and I do just that this week no
matter if we are a giant or the least among us?
Christ the King where do reign?
In my heart yes I know
which is the call for me to show
your love to our hurting world.
Christ the King where do reign?
In our world I know it’s true
when each of us does right by you
we build the kingdom piece by
piece.
Christ the King where do reign?
In the mighty and the strong
when they rise up like the dawn
to help the lowly and the least.
Christ the King where do reign?
In the lowly and the poor
who don’t have any more
but their generous and hopeful trust.
Christ the King where do you
reign?
Here, there and every where
for your love and mercy can always
bear
even when God’s children fail to
build your kingdom here.
Christ the King where do you
reign?
I know where, I know it’s true
please help me see what there is
to do
and the courage and strength to
build with you.
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