Today marks the end of the Catholic liturgical year -- the Solemnity of Christ the King. This observance was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and found its present place in the liturgical calendar in 1969. The Season of Advent begins next, the start of the new liturgical year -- the anticipation of the Birth of Christ.
The situation of the Solemnity of Christ the King at the end of the liturgical year is meant to focus the faithful on the End Times, when Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. (If the Mayans were right, this may happen sooner that we care to think about.)
Squeamish about the end of the world? Well, several of the Usual Suspects point out that today is also National Parfait Day. Others point out that one month from today is Christmas.
Did we really need that reminder?