Seasons of the Church Year
As human beings, we have always been keepers of time and events in our lives. We received this consciousness when God - in Creation - established the concept of time, in which He made a distinction between day and night and between the seasons. We live in the reality that our lives go from one day to the next, always looking towards what is coming up next. God only promised us today; He never promised us tomorrow. However, it is not wrong for us to look forward to the next holiday, the next birthday, or the next anniversary. This is how we - as human beings - are able to determine time and witness God's order in all of Creation.
Calendars are a prominent feature in our lives today. They help us to keep track of our days and help us to establish our priorities in life throughout the year. The Church's calendar of the Seasons of the Church Year is no different. The Church's calendar helps direct our focus and attention to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His completed works towards our salvation. Every festival season, and each distinctive celebration in the Church, has a particular and specific focus on the works of Jesus in His story of salvation in our lives.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Season of Advent
(November – December)
The Season of Advent is a time of expectation and waiting as we focus our attention on both the upcoming nativity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as His promised return that will end this world. This season begins the Church Year each November – after the Thanksgiving holiday has ended – and lasts until Christmas Eve. This is a season in which the Church rejoices in the promises of God which are fulfilled in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This season prepares our hearts for the works of Jesus that we celebrate in later seasons of the Church Year.
In our church, part of our Advent/Christmas decorations for the altar space, is the white Christ candle, surrounded by a circular Advent Wreath containing three purple candles and one pink candle. The wreath is circular to symbolize the infinity of the Triune God and is made of evergreens to symbolize the everlasting life found only in Jesus Christ. One candle of the Advent Wreath is lit each week of the Advent Season, increasing the light as the nativity of Jesus approaches, until all five candles are lit on Christmas Eve.
The first candle lit is one of the purple candles. This first candle is the "Candle of Hope" – also called "The Prophecy Candle." This candle represents the hope that we have because God is faithful and will keep the promises that He made to us. Our hope only comes from God. The lighting of this first candle symbolizes God's Light piercing the darkness of this world through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
"Isaiah says, 'The root of Jesse will come, even He who arises to rule the Gentiles; in Him will the Gentiles hope.' May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:12-13 ESV)
The second candle lit is another one of the purple candles. This second candle is the "Candle of Preparation" – also called "The Bethlehem Candle." This candle reminds us that God prepared us for the coming of His Son to be born in a manger in Bethlehem, as He promised. With this reminder, we ought to also prepare for Jesus in His nativity – as well as His second coming – in our hearts, minds, and souls through God's Word and Sacraments.
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."
(Micah 5:2 ESV)
The third candle lit is the pink candle. This third candle is the "Candle of Joy" – also called "The Shepherd Candle." This candle reminds us to tell the good news of the birth of Jesus to everyone with joy – just like the shepherds did. After the multitude of angels proclaimed Jesus' birth to the shepherds that first Christmas Eve, the shepherds immediately ran to see the Christ-child in the manger in Bethlehem. They then went to proclaim the good news to anyone and everyone who would hear it.
"And when [the shepherds] saw [Jesus lying in a manger], they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them." (Luke 2:17-20 ESV)
The fourth candle lit is the final purple candle. This candle is the "Candle of Love" – also called "The Angels' Candle." This candle reminds us of the hope in the promise of resurrection and everlasting life through Jesus Christ's coming again on the clouds of heaven with His angels. Just as the angels announced Jesus' birth, they will proclaim His glory for all to hear when He returns to judge all the earth. Jesus' first coming was to complete the work of salvation – the forgiveness of all of our sins – through His suffering and death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. This is certainly good news to proclaim because it proves His everlasting love for us.
"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:32-33 ESV)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3:16-17 ESV)
The fifth and final candle lit is the white candle in the center of the wreath, which is called the "Christ Candle." This candle symbolizes Jesus Christ as the Pure and True Light of the world. This candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God, who was sent to wash away all of our sins with His Blood. The greatest purpose of Jesus' birth was for His death on the cross. The purpose of His death was for our birth into life eternal!
"Arise, shine, for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you." (Isaiah 60:1-2 ESV)
"Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.'" (John 8:12 ESV)
The parament colors for the Season of Advent are blue.
Season of Christmas
(December – January)
The season of Advent ends and the season of Christmas begins with the nativity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, typically celebrated on Christmas Eve – December 24th – each year. Most churches will hold Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services, no matter what day of the week they fall on. Here at Redeemer, our schedule fluctuates from year-to-year along with our sister church – St. Paul Lutheran in Monahans, Texas – so be on the lookout for the schedule on our weekly worship schedule page.
In addition to celebrating the birthday of Jesus at Christmas, our church honors the mystery of His incarnation in becoming one of us. We rejoice in the miracle of God the Son becoming a human being in Jesus Christ, as our King of kings and Lord of lords.
The season of Christmas also emphasizes the name of the Lord our God since Jesus received His name eight days after His birth when He was circumcised – according to the Law given to Moses by God. When an angel came to Joseph to inform him that Mary was with child by the Holy Spirit, the angel also told him to call the Child "Jesus." The name Jesus means "The Lord saves." Joseph and Mary did as they were told eight days after Jesus' birth.
"She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
(Matthew 1:21 ESV)
The 12 Days of Christmas are the 12 days following Christmas Day each year – December 25th through January 5th.
The parament colors for the Season of Christmas are white and/or gold.
Season of Epiphany
(January – February)
The Season of Epiphany begins on January 6th each year and lasts until Transfiguration Sunday, when we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Day of Epiphany – the Epiphany of Jesus – is January 6th each year. On this day, we celebrate the fulfillment of the promise that God made to Abraham that his descendant – Jesus Christ – would bless all nations, including the Gentile (non-Israelite) nations. The Magi – or the assembly of Gentiles – were the first-fruits of the fulfillment of that promise as they presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ-child after following the Star of Bethlehem from their far-away country to the very house that Jesus was in.
"When they saw the star, they rejoice exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:10-11 ESV)
After the Day of Epiphany – and during the rest of the Season of Epiphany – we celebrate Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, and the beginning of Jesus' ministry on earth. In celebrating Jesus' Baptism, we realize that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit established the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for us to also be Baptized – not just by water, but by water combined with God's Word – which washes away all our sins with God's Grace and Mercy, marking us as adopted children of God. This is one of many means by which we receive God's Grace in our lives. It is made special because it is God's Word being united with water, by God, for us.
The parament colors for the Day of Epiphany are white, while the parament colors for the Season of Epiphany are green. The parament colors switch back to white for our Lord's Transfiguration.
Season of Lent
(February – March/April)
The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday – which could be as early as February 6th and as late as March 10th. The timing of Ash Wednesday correlates with the date of Easter, and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. The Season of Lent lasts for 40 days, ending the day before Palm Sunday. These 40 days are represented as the 40 days that Jesus Christ spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan before He began His ministry on earth.
The term "Lent" means "Spring," when nature awakens from the end of winter. This is wonderful timing because the Christian can visually reflect in nature on the newness of life that is achieved only in Jesus Christ's death on the cross and rising from the dead. Over the 40 days of the Season of Lent, God's people ought to cleanse their hearts, minds, and souls through the discipline of prayer, sincere repentance, and sometimes fasting. In the Lutheran Church, we do not teach that fasting is required, but it is not looked down upon either. If done properly, fasting can help the Christian focus more on God than themselves.
The Season of Lent is when God renews His people's zeal in their walks of faith in this life through the joyful preparation for the Paschal Lamb – Jesus Christ – to be sacrificed for the atonement of all of our sins. It is especially during the Season of Lent when Christians are made aware of God's Grace and Mercy that only belongs to believers. Traditionally, Christians give something up for the 40 days of Lent – like a less than good diet or habit. We also do not exclaim the joyful expression of "Alleluia" during the Season of Lent because this season is meant to be a solemn, penitent time of worship and preparation.
Here at Redeemer, our schedule fluctuates from year-to-year along with our sister church – St. Paul Lutheran in Monahans, Texas – so be on the lookout for the schedule on our weekly worship schedule page.
The parament colors for Ash Wednesday are either black or purple. The parament colors for the Season of Lent are purple.
Holy Week
Palm Sunday
(March/April)
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week each year – the most meaningful week within the Liturgical Church Year. The events that we preach and teach about during Holy Week are the core of the Christian Faith – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – His Passion. Without the belief in His death and resurrection, Christians would be worshipping in vain and Christianity could not exist.
Palm Sunday is exactly one week before Easter Sunday and is the celebration of our Lord and Savior's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on that First Palm Sunday. Jesus Christ riding on the back of a donkey's colt into the holy city of Jerusalem, was the exact opposite demonstration expected by the Israelites of the time. They expected the Messiah – the Anointed Christ and Savior of all – to ride into Jerusalem on the back of a war horse, surrounded by a great military. That is because they expected the Messiah to be a mighty military leader, not the humble King of kings that Jesus presented Himself as. The Israelites did not understand that Jesus had to die to save us all.
"So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out, 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!' And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 'Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!'"
(John 12:13-15 ESV)
The parament colors for Palm Sunday are red.
Maundy Thursday
(March/April)
Maundy Thursday is celebrated on the Thursday of Holy Week each year. During the daylight hours of that First Maundy Thursday, Jesus' disciples ate with Jesus in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, as they were preparing for the Passover Feast. During this meal, Jesus blessed the bread and wine with His Words and instituted the Lord's Supper – the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This Sacrament is one of many means by which the Christian can receive God's Grace and Mercy and is celebrated together during the Divine Worship Service as often as possible.
"Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My Body.' And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:26-28 ESV)
Here at Redeemer, and along with our sister church – St. Paul Lutheran in Monahans, Texas – we celebrate a combined Maundy Thursday/Good Friday service at each church; Thursday at St. Paul and Friday at Redeemer. Be on the lookout for the schedule on our weekly worship schedule page.
The parament colors for Maundy Thursday are white. However, at the end of the Maundy Thursday's Divine Worship Service, the paraments are stripped from the altar in preparation for Good Friday. During the combined service, the altar is stripped halfway through service, when transitioning from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday.
Good Friday
(March/April)
The First Good Friday actually began at dark on the Thursday of that first Holy Week – the preparation day for the Passover Feast – the day before the Passover Feast the Saturday of that first Holy Week.
Now, to understand the timing, we need to understand that – for the Israelites – the current day ended and the new day began at sundown. In Jerusalem – at the time of Passover – the sun rises around 6:30am and sets around 7:00pm, varying slightly year-to-year. So, after establishing the Sacrament of Holy Communion with His disciples – and when the sun set, is when that first Good Friday begun.
This version of telling time is very important to understand as we examine the events of that first Good Friday and Easter Sunday – because we are told by Jesus, that He will be "raised on the third day." (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19; Luke 9:22, 18:33). So, that Friday of the first Holy Week began around 7:00pm (at sunset) on Thursday – that Saturday of the first Holy Week began around 7:00pm (at sunset) on Friday – and that Sunday of the first Holy Week began around 7:00pm (at sunset) on Saturday. Also any part of a day was including in Jewish time-keeping. So, even though Jesus Christ was crucified close to the end – around 3:00pm – of that first Good Friday, it is counted as the first day, and Saturday as the second day, and the morning of that first Easter Sunday as the third day.
After establishing the Sacrament of Holy Communion with His disciples, Jesus went with His disciples – Peter, James, and John – to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. One of Jesus' disciples – Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and elders in order to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. It is in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus lamented over His coming task. It is there that Judas led a band of soldiers to arrest Jesus, in order to take Him before the high priest, Caiaphas.
"Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver [Jesus] over to you?' And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray Him." (Matthew 26:14-16 ESV)
"And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with Me.' And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I Will, but as You Will.' (Matthew 26:37-39 ESV)
"While [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, 'The One I will kiss is the Man; seize Him.' And he came up to Jesus at once and said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' And he kissed Him. Jesus said to him, 'Friend, do what you came to do.' Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. ... At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, 'Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture Me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.' Then all the disciples left Him and fled." (Matthew 26:47-50, 55-56 ESV)
After Jesus' arrest, .
The parament colors of Good Friday are either black or no paraments at all – barren.
Easter Sunday
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Season of Easter
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Ascension of our Lord
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Season of Pentecost
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Holy Trinity Sunday
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Reformation Celebration
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All Saints' Day
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