Church Seasons, Days & Holidays
We may think of the Church Calendar as a biography of Jesus Christ. Through embodying it in our daily lives every year, we remember to whom we belong: from his pre-existence as a divine being to his earthly life as a human, from his crucifixion to his resurrection. Through contextualizing his teachings, ministries, and missions into our own contexts, we participate in the fulfillment of God's salvation by grace through faith.
Four weeks leading up to Christmas
Advent
Our Posture:
Expecting the coming of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Main Stories:
The necessity of God's redemption
Prophesy of his mission as a human being
Celebrated for 12 days
Christmas
Our Posture:
Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ the Son of God
Main Stories:
The contexts of Jesus' birth
Jesus' divine and human natures
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The 1st Sunday after 12 days of Christmas
Baptism of Christ
Our Posture:
Celebrating the inauguration of the public ministry of Jesus Christ
Main Stories:
God's announcement
The significance of Jesus' baptism
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12 days after Christmas on 6th day of the month
Epiphany
Our Posture:
Realizing the identity of Jesus Christ
Stories:
Reactions from the gentiles, the magi, and religious leaders to Christ's appearance and his ministries
The last Sunday of Epiphany and before Ash Wednesday
Transfiguration
Our Posture:
Glimpsing the divinity of Jesus Christ
Main Stories:
Revealing the change of Jesus's appearance
God's affirmation and commandment
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46 days before Easter Sunday
Ash Wednesday
Our Posture:
Remembering that we belong to God
Main Stories:
The purpose of fasting and prayerful life
The meaning of repentance
40 days (not including Sundays)
Lent
Our Posture:
Repenting our separation from Jesus Christ
Main Stories:
The temptation in the desert for 40 days
Fallen humanity without purposeful lives
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The last week before Easter
Holy Week
Our Posture:
Observing the solemnity of Jesus Christ
Main Stories:
Prophecy of Jesus' death and resurrection
Jesus' last three days and three nights
50 days
Easter - Resurrection
Our Posture:
Celebrating and living out the resurrection of Jesus Christ in our daily life.
Main Stories:
Disciples meeting the resurrected Jesus
Jesus' words to his disciples before ascension
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On the 50th day after Jesus' resurrection
Ascension
Our Posture:
Celebrating the fulfillment of God's redemption
Main Stories:
Jesus promises his second coming
Disciples witnessing his departure
The longest season; starts after Jesus' resurrection
Pentecost
Our Posture:
Extending the embodiment of Jesus Christ
Main Stories:
Making disciples who make disciples
Jesus' teaching and ministries
The Sunday after Jesus' ascension
Holy Trinity
Our Posture:
Honoring the unity of Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit
Main Stories:
Serving one God alone
Being part of the unity, the mystery of our faith in the triune God
The last Sunday in October
Reformation
Our Posture:
Honoring Martin Luther's bold actions on October 31st, 1517
Main Stories:
The true meaning of freedom
Being justified by God's grace through faith in Christ
The 1st Sunday of November
All Saints
Our Posture:
Commemorating all believers,
both living and dead
Main Stories:
Who are the blessed ones
Who are the unfortunate ones
The last Sunday before the First Sunday of Advent
Christ the King
Our Posture:
Celebrating the establishment of God's reign
Main Stories:
The victory of defeating death
The lord of lords, king of kings
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The 3rd Thursday of November
Thanksgiving
Our Posture:
Giving thanks to God for the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Main Stories:
The meaning of the bread of God
God is the one initiating and acting
