Christ the King Breakfast Crowns

DILLY Attention, everyone! Today, we are making breakfast fit for a king!

DILLY The Feast of Christ the King is coming up, so today we’re making Christ the King Breakfast Crowns from the Word on Fire Kids Cookbook. And while we cook, we’re going to discover what it really means to call Jesus our King. Because Jesus isn’t a king who only wants a fancy crown. He wants to rule our hearts with love. Let’s get cooking!

DILLY Here’s what we need: Bacon hash browns Garlic salt Bread Eggs Milk Salt and pepper Shredded cheddar cheese We’ll also need a muffin tin, a frying pan, a mixing bowl, and a drinking glass. And because we’re using a hot stove, a sharp knife, and an oven, make sure a grown-up is helping.

DILLY First, thoroughly grease each cup of the muffin tin. Make sure you cover every little spot, or the eggs might stick. Calling Jesus our King means making room for Him in every part of our lives, too. Not just at church. Jesus wants to be part of how we treat our families, how we act at school, how we play, and even what we do when nobody else is watching. Every part of our lives given to Jesus.

DILLY Next, cook the bacon until it’s cooked, but not crispy. We need it to stay soft enough to bend around the muffin cups. When people hear the word “king,” they might imagine someone powerful who gives orders and expects everyone else to serve him. But Jesus is a different kind of King. Jesus used His power to serve others. He fed hungry people, healed the sick, welcomed children, forgave sinners, and even washed His disciples’ feet. Jesus shows us that real strength isn’t about making everyone serve you. It’s about being willing to serve them. Set the bacon aside when it’s ready.

DILLY Now cook the hash browns in the same pan. Add a little garlic salt and cook them until they’re done, but not too crispy. Then place them on a paper towel to drain. A king rules over a kingdom. Jesus’ Kingdom isn’t made from castles, walls, or piles of treasure. His Kingdom grows wherever people live the way He taught us. Every time we show kindness, forgive someone, tell the truth, help a person in need, or stand up for what is right, we help build the Kingdom of God. One little act of love might not seem very big. But put enough of them together, and you’ve got a whole kingdom. Or a whole layer of hash browns.

DILLY Use a drinking glass to cut a circle from each slice of bread. The circles should be about the same size as the bottom of the muffin cups. These bread circles will sit at the bottom of each breakfast crown and hold everything together. Jesus should be at the center of our lives in the same way. He helps guide our choices and holds us steady when things feel confusing or difficult.

DILLY Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place one bread circle in the bottom of each muffin cup. Then wrap one piece of bacon around the inside edge. Look! Now it’s beginning to look like a crown. Crowns are signs of authority. They show that a king has the power to rule. But how does Jesus rule? Not through fear. Not by forcing us to love Him. Jesus rules with truth, mercy, and love. He invites us to follow Him freely because He knows that His way leads us to real joy. Now add a layer of hash browns on top of the bread.

DILLY Crack the eggs into a bowl, add the milk, and season everything with a little salt and pepper. Then whisk it all together. The Feast of Christ the King reminds us that Jesus is King of the whole universe. That means His Kingdom is bigger than any country, language, or culture. People all around the world may look different, speak differently, or celebrate in different ways, but we are all invited to belong to Jesus’ Kingdom. Different ingredients, all brought together. One delicious egg mixture. One King bringing His people together as one family.

DILLY Carefully pour the egg mixture into each muffin cup. Don’t fill them all the way to the top because the eggs will rise while they bake. Then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over each crown. Very royal. Calling Jesus our King means more than saying the right words. It means letting Him shape the way we live. We can ask: “Jesus, what would You want me to do?” “Who can I help?” “Is there someone I need to forgive?” “Am I choosing what is true and good?” That is how we give Jesus more and more room to reign in our hearts.

DILLY Have a grown-up place the muffin tin in the oven. Bake the crowns for about 25 minutes, or until the eggs are completely cooked. Waiting can be hard. And sometimes following Jesus can be hard, too. It isn’t always easy to be patient, tell the truth, include someone who feels left out, or forgive someone who hurt us. But Jesus is not a King who watches us struggle from far away. He is with us. He gives us the grace to choose what is right, even when it’s difficult. And He gives us the grace to wait for breakfast. Which I need very badly right now.

DILLY They’re ready! Let them cool for about five minutes before carefully removing them from the pan.

DILLY Mmm! Cheesy, crispy, and definitely fit for a king. As we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, remember that Jesus doesn’t want to rule us by scaring us or bossing us around. He is a good and loving King who leads us toward everything that is true, beautiful, and good. And whenever we love God and serve the people around us, we help His Kingdom grow. Happy Feast of Christ the King! Long live Christ the King!