The Church Year

Have you noticed that church time and the world's time are different? Most authors of books will sign the preface with a name and a date, such as January 6, 1995. The writer of religious books may sign the preface with the same dates, but it will read Feast of the Epiphany, 1995. The church has its own calendar which is tied to events reported in the life of Jesus and in the church's life. Learning to follow church time will take us through the history of our own faith story.

The most important celebration in the church year is Easter Day. The Paschal cycle begins with the season of Lent during which we prepare ourselves for the coming events of Jesus' passion. On the Sunday before Easter, we observe Passion (Palm) Sunday and remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. All the days between Passion Sunday and Easter Sunday are called Holy Week. Maundy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist, and we often observe the washing of feet at this time. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion. Holy Saturday services are followed by the Great Vigil, held late in the evening. The days of Holy Week are marked by sorrow and sympathy with Easter morning being the joyous time of resurrection, celebration, song and lilies at the altar. The gift of the Holy Spirit is remembered during Pentecost following Easter.

The Paschal cycle is preceded by the Incarnation cycle. This begins in winter with Advent, a season during which we again wait, but this time we anticipate Jesus' birth which we celebrate on Christmas day. After Christmas, there is the Feast of Epiphany which means "showing forth" the gospel, meant for the whole world. The Epiphany season is from January 6 until Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Many fest days, holy days and days of particular observance are sprinkled throughout these two great cycles of the church year. If you pay close attention to the scriptures assigned to each one, you will hear and live out the story of Jesus' life. The church year is a way in which we also learn to live our own lives, month to month, alongside that of the One who serves as our ideal model.