Seasons of the Christian Calendar
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Just as God created physical seasons on Earth—Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall; there are also spiritual seasons, often called the Seasons of the Christian Calendar. The word season comes from the Latin root meaning to sow. Living in the Church year, is a process of growth and a transformational experience. It is a journey from Chronos (General Time—time of clocks and calendars) to Kairos (Appointed Time—time viewed as opportunity).
A few insights on various calendars:
- The Gregorian calendar starts from January to December,
- The Jewish calendar revolves around Passover and Exodus.
- The Christian calendar (or Liturgical calendar) starts with the season of Advent and ends with the season of Trinity. It revolves around the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Liturgical calendar:
- Advent – Season of Hope
- Christmas – Season of Joy
- Epiphany – Season of Revelation
- Lent – Season of Repentance
- Easter – Season of Victory
- Pentecost – Season of outpouring of the Spirit
- Trinity – Season of the Mission
Like Earth’s life cycles echo the spiritual patterns of death and resurrection, the seasons of the liturgical year – Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Trinity teach us to know Jesus better and more intimately and will increasingly unite us with the divine life that Jesus offers.
Early in its history, the Church divided the year into seven liturgical seasons based on Jesus’s life and ministry. The liturgical calendar represents the life of the Church and moves in the rhythm of seven seasons rather than twelve months. During these seasons of the Christian calendar, we reflect on and celebrate the truths, mysteries, and miracles of the Christian faith.
As we enter the Lent season, I desire to take this 40-day journey to the cross by meditating on the Gospel of John, which introduces Jesus to the world as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the whole world.
I hope the readings and reflections in this season will nourish your minds, refresh your hearts, and enable you to grow in your love for the Man of Calvary, the Lamb of God.
Shalom!
