iThought (December)
December is my favorite month. In it we mark two transitions. At the beginning of the month we celebrate the start of the Christian year in Advent, and at the end of the month we celebrate the end and beginning of the calendar year. It is a great time of anticipation for not only the coming of Jesus, but also for what God will do in our lives this next Church year. Here is a brief look at our Church Year.
Advent is a four-week period where we prepare for Christmas. In advent we look forward to the coming of hope into the world with the Christ child—the King, God with us, Savior. We anticipate God’s reign in the world and over our lives through his Word. This is a time when we can look forward to how God will use the Church seasons to transform us into more devoted followers of Jesus.
Christmas begins with evening prayer on Dec. 24th and ends with midday prayer on Jan. 5th. It is during the Christmas season that we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord. After Christmas day marks the beginning of what is usually called the twelve days of Christmas. During this time we should reflect on how Jesus has come into the world and into our lives.
Epiphany follows the Christmas season and ends on Ash Wednesday. It begins with the feast of Epiphany on Jan 6, which celebrates the visit of the Magi to the Christ child. The term Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, which means manifestation. The Epiphany season is a time in which the community of believers celebrates the appearance of Jesus as God and man. In Epiphany we celebrate Jesus’ Baptism and the Transfiguration. During this season we are mindful of Jesus’ person and that he is the one who came to die for the sins of the world.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with midday prayer on Holy Saturday (The Saturday before Easter). Ash Wednesday begins this season by the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of believers as a sign of penitence and a reminder of human mortality. Lent is a time in which we “lengthen” our faith by preparing ourselves for what Jesus does during holy week.
Holy week culminates the preparation time of Lent. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday. We focus, during this time, on Jesus life in Jerusalem until his resurrection. On Maundy Thursday we are reminded of Jesus’ “mandate” to practice the Holy meal and serve the world. On Good Friday we mourn the death of Christ but at the same time joy remains because we know that Easter is around the corner.
The Season of Easter is a victory celebration for the resurrection of Christ and his victory over sin and death. It is a time for all Christians to proclaim their faith boldly in the risen Lord. In Easter we celebrate the Ascension and the season ends with Pentecost, the celebration of the birth of the church with the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to be reminded of the joy that we have because we have been set free from our sin.
The longest season of the year is the season after Pentecost. During this time the Church focuses on growing in God’s grace by focusing on the teachings of the Lord. We hear about Jesus’ healings and teaching his disciples. It is a time when believers should look to the teachings of Jesus in order to be transformed by his word. The last Sunday of the year is celebrated as Christ the King Sunday.
I hope that this next year is more than just steady monotony of daily routine; I pray that this church allows God to work though the Seasons to transform you into an even more faithful servants and followers. Amen.
Peace,
Jeremy Serrano
F.Y.I. iThoughts are articles I write for My Church’s monthly newsletter.
