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Overview of the Christian CalendarUnderstanding the Major Observances in the Church Year
What is the Christian Calendar, and how does one follow it? This is a quick summary of the major dates of the Christian year.
Did you know that Christmas is actually supposed to last for 12 days? That Easter is several weeks long, not just one day? Many Protestants don't, because the national holidays have taken the place of traditionally Christian ones. For those needing a simple introduction, here is an overview of the Christian calendar as observed in the Western church. Advent through ChristmastideThe Christian year in the Western calendar begins on Advent Sunday, which is the Sunday closest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day). There are four Sundays in Advent preceding Christmas morning, and Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth, remembering humanity's lost state prior to Christ, bearing in mind that he will come a second time. Christmas begins on December 25 and lasts until Epiphany, January 6, making Christmas a 12-day celebration. Epiphany and Ordinary TimeEpiphany, or "manifestation," is celebrated in January 6. It originated in the East as a celebration of Christ's baptism, but in the West, it became a celebration of his being revealed to the Gentiles through story of the Magi. After the feast of Epiphany, “Ordinary Time” (or “Counted Time”) begins and lasts until Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday, LentAsh Wednesday introduces the 40 days of Lent + 6 Sundays (it’s important to note here that the 6 Sundays are in addition to, and not counted as part of the 40 days). The ashes placed on the forehead are a symbol of mourning and penitence and is practiced in the Roman Catholic Church, and Ash Wednesday along with Good Friday are the only universally prescribed fast days. Lent is a period of fasting, of abstaining from regular festivities, of repentance, and of dedication to greater religious devotion and charity. Holy Week and EasterHoly Week, the week leading up to Easter, is intended for meditation on the Passion of Christ. The major days are Palm Sunday (triumphal entry), Maundy Thursday (institution of holy communion, Christ washes disciples' feet), Good Friday (death of Christ; a day of fasting and repentance), Holy Saturday (Christ in the tomb), and Easter Sunday (resurrection of Christ). Ascension Sunday, Whitsunday, and Ordinary TimeThe five Sundays after Easter are all part of "Eastertide," a continuing celebration of Christ's resurrection, which leads up to Ascension Sunday, one of the most important feast days of the Christian year, commemorating Christ's ascent into heaven and his commision to his followers. Whitsunday, or Pentecost, follows the Sunday after, celebrating the giving of the Holy Spirit. The word "Whitsunday" is a reference to the white robes worn by the baptized on that day; Pentecost is the name of the Jewish feast that was being celebrated when the Holy Spirit was given in the first century. All the Sundays after Pentecost and leading up to Advent are "counted" or "ordinary" time and is sometimes collectively referred to as "Kingdomtide." This is time for the church to grow and to exand. Since 1970 in the Roman Catholic Church, Kingdomtide has ended with Christ the King Feast on the last Sunday before Advent, a feast (initially insituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925) intended to celebrate Christ's lordship over all. Some Protestants see Ascension Sunday as the day on which this should be celebrated. The Christian calendar is observed not for the purpose of creating obligation where there is freedom, but to order one's life according to the foundational Christ story to which all Christians belong. Related ArticlesPro Church Calendar: Five Reasons Churches Should Follow the Christian Year
The copyright of the article Overview of the Christian Calendar in Protestantism is owned by Travis Prinzi. Permission to republish Overview of the Christian Calendar in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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