Church Seasons

The Church year, like a calendar year, marks the seasons of time. The Church year marks the seasons and times of the story and teachings of Jesus. Beginning with the preparation for his birth in Advent, his birthday celebration at Christmas, the journey of discipleship in Epiphany as the Wise Men follow the star to Bethlehem, the preparation for Jesus' passion and death during Lent and Holy Week, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead at Easter, and his ascension into Heaven. After his ascension, we receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and build our relationship with the risen Christ during this season.

Each of the six seasons - Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and various festival days that punctuate the year -  also has a color, which help demarcate and communicate its meaning.

• The church year begins with the Advent of Our Lord, the four weeks of getting ready for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. Advent is a time of joyful preparation for the wonderful time when the Son of God came to earth to live as a person among regular people.

  The color of Advent is blue. Blue is the color of hope, as we wait in hope for God's promise to be revealed.

• Christmas is a short season, beginning with Christmas Day, December 25, and continuing through the Name of Jesus until Epiphany. Christmas is a season of thankfulness for the goodness of God.

  The color of Christmas is white. White is the color of purity, at Christmas it is the purity of Christ and of all children.

• Epiphany begins on January 6, the day the Wise Men came to Bethlehem to worship the Baby Jesus. Epiphany is a season of worship, as the whole world follows the Wise Men to find and honor Jesus.

  The color of Epiphany is green. Green is a color for growing. Epiphany is a time to grow in faith.

• Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and is a season of self-examination and quiet contemplation of the mysteries of God. Christians prepare for the death of their sins and worldly selves with the death of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday as they follow his footsteps through Holy Week.

  The color of Lent is purple. Purple is an ancient color for royalty.

• Holy Week is not a season.  It is a part of Lent, but the "Truidium" (three days) hold special significance for us. It is the week we remember the final events of Jesus' life which lead us to Easter. Special services this week include: Palm Sunday - we parade with our Catholic and Episcopal freinds in procession waving palms like they did in the bible. Maundy Thursday - the last supper and the servant life of Jesus. Good Friday - his crucifixtion, and burial. And the Easter Vigil which happens Saturday night at sunset. 

• The Season of Easter begins with Easter Sunday. It is a glorious celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It is a season of praise, as Christians glorify the risen Christ.

  The color of Easter is white. White is life, power over death, light, and the promise of being washed clean by God.

• The Season of Pentecost begins with the Feast of the Pentecost, fifty days after Easter. Because Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit from heaven to all Christians, Pentecost is a season of evangelism and outreach, as Christians look for the presence of the Holy Spirit in everyone on earth.

  The color of Pentecost is green. A time of growth and nurture in faith and discipleship (living life faithfuly).

And that brings us back to Advent to start the year anew.