Christian Calendar

Christian Seasons Explained

Advent (4 Sundays leading to Christmas)
The color for the season is purple or royal blue.
The Church looks forward to the coming (adventus) of Christ, both first and second coming. Hope, faith, joy, and love are themes for the season.

Christmastide or the season of Christmas (starts on Dec 25 and goes for 12 days until Epiphany) [The 12 days of Christmas!]
The color of the season is white.
The Church celebrates the birth of Jesus. The twelve days are a time to celebrate Christ in flesh.

• Christmas, Dec 25 – the birth of Jesus

Epiphany (starts Jan 6 and continues until Ash Wednesday; which is 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the date of Easter)
The color of the season is green.
The Church celebrates the manifestation of Christ to all the world. The time of rejoicing is climaxed by the transfiguration of our Lord on the last Sunday after Epiphany. The first Sunday after Epiphany is remembered, either for the baptism of Christ or the visitation of the magi. The season is a period of intentional discipleship focused on the life and teachings of Jesus.

• Epiphany, Jan 6 – either the baptism of Christ or the visitation of the magi.
• Transfiguration, last Sunday of Epiphany - the transfiguration of the Jesus.

Lent (starts on Ash Wednesday and culminates in Holy Week – 40 weekdays and 6 Sundays)
The color of the season is purple.
The Church proclaims, remembers, and responds in gratitude and faith to Christ’s atoning death. A period of intense discipleship in gratitude to Christ and in the mindset of coworker with Christ.

• Ash Wednesday, roughly 40 days before Easter – commemoration of Christ’s time in the wilderness as preparation for life and ministry.
• Palm Sunday / Triumphal Entry, the Sunday before Easter – Christ’s triumphal entry as a beginning of the passion.
• Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter – celebration of the Last Supper, washing of the disciples’ feet, and the giving of the commandment to love one another.
• Good Friday, the Friday before Easter – commemoration of the crucifixion and death of Christ.

Eastertide or the season of Easter (begins on Easter day and continues until the eve of Pentecost, just under 50 days);
The color of the season is white.
The Church celebrates the triumph and continuous ministry of the risen Lord.

• Easter – celebration of the resurrection of our Lord
• Ascension Sunday, 40 days after Easter – celebration of the ascension of Jesus to heaven.

Pentecost (starts on the day of Pentecost and extends until the Sunday before the next Advent, nearly half the year).
The color of the season is green.
The season commemorates the continuing work of the Triune God in the creation, redemption, and sanctification of humans, the Church, and the world.

• Pentecost, 50 days after Passover – commemorates the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and the Church began.
• Trinity Sunday, Sunday after Pentecost – celebration of the Trinity.
• Reformation Day, Oct 31 – celebration of the reformation of the Church.
• All Saints Day, Nov 1 – commemoration of those that have passed this year and in the past.
• Christ the King, last Sunday before Advent – commemorate that Jesus will return as King and Judge.