Worship Notes ~ The Christian (Liturgical) YearThe passage of time in the Christian church is marked by the celebration of sacred seasons and holy days. These days and weeks commemorate events in the earthly life of Jesus Christ and are the link between all Christians around the world and throughout history. Observing “the cycle of light (Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany) as well as the cycle of life (Lent, Easter, and Pentecost) [brings] the rhythm of the living, dying, and rising again of Christ into the experience of the believer’s yearly life cycle.”1 The liturgical year begins with Advent and continues through Christmas and Epiphany. These special days are fixed in the Christian calendar and are celebrated at the same time each year. The Lenten season, Easter, and Pentecost are considered “moveable” celebrations, and are determined each year by a formula that was established at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. These seasons are separated by the period known as Ordinary Time that begins after Epiphany in January and continues until Ash Wednesday. Then it resumes after Pentecost and continues through the beginning of Advent, four Sundays before Christmas. Each season and holiday invites Christians to reflect on the life of Christ and to practice the disciplines of a life of faith. When we listen for the Holy Spirit’s leading in this way, we actively experience the life transformed by Christ.
1 Webber, Robert E. Worship Is a Verb; ©1985 Word, Inc.; Pg. 33 Return to home page
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