Christ the King, whose hidden glory simple shepherds first beheld, infant whom the wise men worshipped, by an inner voice compelled: grant that we may seek and find you not remote in heaven above, but enfleshed in acts of goodness and enthroned in hearts that love. Christ the King, whose healing presence put disease and death to flight, monarch mounted on a donkey, clad in meekness, not in might: banish from our midst the demons of resentment, greed and strife, claim us for your realm of justice with its fruits of peace and life. Christ the King, whose love unbounded disregarded creed and race, crucified and yet forgiving, holding all in love's embrace: through the blood of recent martyrs, through the quest for dignity, through your prophets' bold defiance speak afresh, Lord, from the Tree. Christ the King, whose saving mission neither cross nor tomb could thwart, risen Word believed and welcomed and to earth's far reaches brought: live in us your resurrection, make us signs of hope to all so that, trusting in your promise, they may answer to your call. Christ the King, our patient Savior, bear with our fragility as we wait for your returning, now unveiled for all to see; and in joyful expectation may each voice in concert sing: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise and thanks to Christ our King!