CELEBRATING THE CHRISTIAN SEASONS OF WORSHIP
Over many centuries, we Christians have created church seasons that help us remember and
celebrate God’s mighty acts in our world and in our lives. These church seasons can be
perplexing at first, but most people pick them up quickly. Here is an outline of the major seasons
and holy days with a brief explanation of each.
celebrate God’s mighty acts in our world and in our lives. These church seasons can be
perplexing at first, but most people pick them up quickly. Here is an outline of the major seasons
and holy days with a brief explanation of each.
ADVENT
The four Sundays leading up to Christmas comprise the Advent season. The
word means “coming” and Advent is a time to prepare ourselves for the coming
of Christ: his birthing in Bethlehem, his coming into our individual lives, and his
coming again in power and glory at the end of time. In contrast to the busy
December rush of shoppers, Advent is a season of quietness and prayer, a
time to invite Jesus into our hearts anew. In Advent we hang purple stoles in the
sanctuary, a royal color reminding us that we are waiting for our King.
The four Sundays leading up to Christmas comprise the Advent season. The
word means “coming” and Advent is a time to prepare ourselves for the coming
of Christ: his birthing in Bethlehem, his coming into our individual lives, and his
coming again in power and glory at the end of time. In contrast to the busy
December rush of shoppers, Advent is a season of quietness and prayer, a
time to invite Jesus into our hearts anew. In Advent we hang purple stoles in the
sanctuary, a royal color reminding us that we are waiting for our King.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas is not just a day, but a season. The Christmas season begins on
December 25 and lasts for twelve days, usually including two Sundays. You
already know what a joyful and special time this is as we celebrate the birth of
our Lord. The Christmas Day service in our congregation is a wonderful and
warm gathering. The color of the season is white, the color of purity and
celebration. If you have trouble telling the difference between Advent and
Christmas is not just a day, but a season. The Christmas season begins on
December 25 and lasts for twelve days, usually including two Sundays. You
already know what a joyful and special time this is as we celebrate the birth of
our Lord. The Christmas Day service in our congregation is a wonderful and
warm gathering. The color of the season is white, the color of purity and
celebration. If you have trouble telling the difference between Advent and
Christmas, think of it this way: Advent is a time of waiting, like pregnancy; Christmas is a time of
celebration, like a birth.
celebration, like a birth.
LENT
After the joy of Christ’s birth, we begin the march toward his victorious
resurrection from the dead, but first we must pass through the season of
Lent. Like Advent, Lent is a time of preparation and self-examination. For
six Sundays (forty days) we review our lives in the light of God’s holiness,
and we seek God’s help in becoming more faithful Christians. Lent is a
serious season, but not a sad time. After all, God loves us as we are,
and God is already at work shaping us into the likeness of Christ. The
last Sunday of Lent is Palm Sunday, recalling Jesus’ entry into
Jerusalem, and in the following week we schedule special services on
After the joy of Christ’s birth, we begin the march toward his victorious
resurrection from the dead, but first we must pass through the season of
Lent. Like Advent, Lent is a time of preparation and self-examination. For
six Sundays (forty days) we review our lives in the light of God’s holiness,
and we seek God’s help in becoming more faithful Christians. Lent is a
serious season, but not a sad time. After all, God loves us as we are,
and God is already at work shaping us into the likeness of Christ. The
last Sunday of Lent is Palm Sunday, recalling Jesus’ entry into
Jerusalem, and in the following week we schedule special services on
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to remind us of the Last Supper and our Lord’s crucifixion.
The color of Lent is purple in honor of the King who was crowned with thorns and enthroned upon
a cross for our sake.
The color of Lent is purple in honor of the King who was crowned with thorns and enthroned upon
a cross for our sake.
EASTER
The resurrection of Jesus is too big to celebrate on a single day, so
we have seven Sundays of Easter joy. Again the color is white,
marking Jesus’ triumph over sin and death.
During Easter we remind ourselves that Jesus shares his victory
with us, and someday we too will know the power of resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus is too big to celebrate on a single day, so
we have seven Sundays of Easter joy. Again the color is white,
marking Jesus’ triumph over sin and death.
During Easter we remind ourselves that Jesus shares his victory
with us, and someday we too will know the power of resurrection.
PENTECOST
On the fiftieth day after Easter, Pentecost arrives with a bang! Pentecost is the
celebration of God’s Holy Spirit given to us. Turning to the story of the Spirit’s
powerful, fiery arrival in Acts 2, we give thanks for God’s presence within us and
the gifts of the Spirit that we share for the service of Christ and the up-building of
his church. The color for Pentecost is blazing red, and don’t be surprised to find
balloons, dancing and a party atmosphere in our worship on that day.
On the fiftieth day after Easter, Pentecost arrives with a bang! Pentecost is the
celebration of God’s Holy Spirit given to us. Turning to the story of the Spirit’s
powerful, fiery arrival in Acts 2, we give thanks for God’s presence within us and
the gifts of the Spirit that we share for the service of Christ and the up-building of
his church. The color for Pentecost is blazing red, and don’t be surprised to find
balloons, dancing and a party atmosphere in our worship on that day.
ORDINARY TIME
After Pentecost, we enter a long season called Ordinary Time. Of course, with God no time is
ordinary, but the name means that we have about six months without any major holy days or
special occasions. Ordinary Time fills up the summer and the fall. If you think about your own life,
you can find exciting high-points here and there, but most of our days are spent in the “ordinary”
pursuits of working, building a family, and growing. The long stretch of Ordinary Time on the
church calendar is a time to strengthen our congregational ties, seek opportunities for mission,
and to mature as disciples. Symbolizing life and growth, green is the color for this season.
As winter draws near, Advent begins the annual cycle anew, giving a shape to our year and
walking us again through the milestones of our shared Christian faith. Some stories deserve to
be told over and over. The Christian calendar helps us keep our most important stories alive and
well year after year!
After Pentecost, we enter a long season called Ordinary Time. Of course, with God no time is
ordinary, but the name means that we have about six months without any major holy days or
special occasions. Ordinary Time fills up the summer and the fall. If you think about your own life,
you can find exciting high-points here and there, but most of our days are spent in the “ordinary”
pursuits of working, building a family, and growing. The long stretch of Ordinary Time on the
church calendar is a time to strengthen our congregational ties, seek opportunities for mission,
and to mature as disciples. Symbolizing life and growth, green is the color for this season.
As winter draws near, Advent begins the annual cycle anew, giving a shape to our year and
walking us again through the milestones of our shared Christian faith. Some stories deserve to
be told over and over. The Christian calendar helps us keep our most important stories alive and
well year after year!
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