Liturgical Year
The Liturgical Year is divided into three parts: the Time of Christmas, the Time of Easter, and the Time of the Church. The Time of Christmas focuses on the incarnation of Jesus Christ on His inevitable return. The Time of Easter focuses on the salvation of Jesus which was accomplished through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. The Time of the Church focuses on God’s calling people to eternal life through His Word and Spirit as He matures them in faith and sends them into the world to make disciples of every nation.
THE TIME OF CHRISTMAS (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany)
ADVENT
Advent begins the Church Year (four Sundays, beginning with the Sunday closest to November 30th – St. Andrew's Day). Advent is from a Latin word meaning "coming," and its emphasis is on preparation for the coming of Christ. The first part of Advent focuses on the coming of Christ as King and Judge, while the latter part looks to his coming in the incarnation (the Son of God becoming Man). The mood of Advent, therefore, is one of hope, anticipation, and preparedness.
The color for Advent is blue - the color of spiritual love, fidelity, anticipation, and hope - and reminds us of the coming birth of our King, Jesus.
CHRISTMAS
The season of Christmas begins on the evening of December 24, the Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord, and continues through January 5. The feast day is December 25. Depending on the day of the week on which Christmas falls, there may be two Sundays after Christmas. In most years, however, there is only one. Because of the nature of this singular event in the history of the world and its meaning for our salvation, the festival and season of Christmas is a time of great joy.
The color of Christmas is white - the color of purity and eternity, symbolizing perfection, celebration, and joy.
EPIPHANY
The Epiphany of Our Lord falls on January 6 and commemorates the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus. Like Christmas, this season begins on the eve of the feast, that is, the evening of January 5. On the Sunday after the Epiphany the church observes the Baptism of Our Lord.
Depending on the date of Ash Wednesday, there may be as many as eight Sundays after the Epiphany. The last Sunday after the Epiphany is the Transfiguration of Our Lord. The emphasis of the Epiphany season is on the self–revelation of God to the world. Beginning with the Epiphany, when Christ revealed himself to the Gentile Wise Men as a "Light to lighten the Gentiles," this revelation emphasis continues, as the Gospel readings depict how Jesus revealed himself in word and deed as true God, Messiah, and Savior of the world.
The color for Epiphany is green - the color of life, refreshment, and regeneration.
THE TIME OF EASTER (Lent, Holy Week, Easter)
LENT
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, whose precise date depends on the date of Easter (see below). The name "Ash Wednesday" comes from a practice originating in the Middle Ages of ashes being sprinkled over the heads of those who came to church and went to confession. Today ashes are applied to the forehead in the shape of a cross. Ordinarily, the ashes come from palms that were blessed on Palm Sunday the year before. Both this rite and the traditional readings for the day call for an attitude of humility and repentance.
Technically Lent consists of 40 days of fasting. This excludes the Sundays in between which are not Sundays of Lent but Sundays in Lent. There are five Sundays in Lent. The season of Lent continues until the eve of Palm Sunday. In the Middle Ages the penitential aspect of Lent was emphasized and the observance of the season was often rigorous and austere. With the revised lectionary included in Lutheran Worship the repentance theme is balanced more with reflection and renewal in faith and life.
The color for Lent is purple - the color for royalty, but also of sorrow and repentance.
HOLY WEEK
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, which recalls Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The three following days, Monday of Holy Week, Tuesday of Holy Week, and Wednesday of Holy Week, look at the events that led up to the crucifixion. Maundy Thursday commemorates the institution of the Lord's Supper as a "memorial" of Christ's Passion. On Good Friday we recall the climactic event in the life of our Lord on earth, the crucifixion. During Holy Week the focus is on the suffering and death of our Savior and the importance that it has for us and for our salvation.
The color for Holy Week is red - the color for royalty and passion.
EASTER
Easter is the high point of the church year. The early church recognized the importance of this feast, since it was the first festival to be observed annually by Christians. Easter is the time of greatest joy, because, by the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus proved that he is the victor over sin, death, and the grave.
The date of Easter changes from year to year. This fluctuation is because the date of Easter was originally set according to a lunar (moon) calendar. The moon is still used to set the date of Easter. The formula is as follows: Easter is the Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. The spring equinox falls on March 21. This means that the earliest date Easter can be is March 22, while the latest is April 25.
Easter begins with the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. Like Christmas and Epiphany, the festival commences already on the Eve of Easter. Easter is followed by six Sundays. The first Sunday following is designated the Second Sunday of Easter and the last is called the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Between the Sixth and Seventh Sundays of Easter is Ascension Day. Ascension Day falls on the 40th day after Easter and commemorates when the risen Lord ascended into heaven. It is always on a Thursday.
The color of Easter is white - the color of purity and eternity, symbolizing perfection, celebration, and joy.
THE TIME OF THE CHURCH (Pentecost)
PENTECOST
Pentecost (from a Greek word meaning "fifty"), the 50th day after Easter, concludes the Easter season. On Pentecost we commemorate the sending of the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, to the disciples who were waiting in Jerusalem after the ascension of Jesus. Because it is through the work of the Spirit that we receive the benefits of Christ's work for us, Pentecost is also a time of great celebration and joy.
The color for the day Pentecost is red the color of zeal (fire). The color for the season of Pentecost is green - color of life, refreshment, and regeneration.
Based in part on "The Altar Guild Manual" by Lee A. Maxwell, Published by Concordia Publishing House, 1996.
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