Corpus Jehovah Fellowship | The Christian Year, Main Seasons and Calendar – Rev Dr Koku Adomdza HRH, Chancellor, President & Senior Fellow

Post date: Jun 10, 2015 10:26:35 PM

Corpus Jehovah Fellowship | The Christian Year, Main Seasons and Calendar

Embracing the Special Blessings of Each Season of the Christian Calendar

The Christian Seasons

an explanation of the Church Liturgical Calendar

The formal name for the Christian Seasons is the Liturgical Year or Liturgical Calendar. Liturgy, from the Greek word for ‘public service’, means the public worship of the Church in its various forms.

The purpose of the Liturgical Year is not to mark the passage of time, but to celebrate and understand more fully the life and ministry of The Lord Christ Jesus, and to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit which led to the foundation of the early Church and to recall the ministry of the apostles and martyrs who spread the Christian faith.

The Liturgical Cycle covers a three-year period in which Year A focuses predominantly on St. Matthew’s Gospel, Year B on St. Mark’s and Year C on St. Luke’s. St. John’s Gospel is interspersed throughout the years, particularly during Easter.

The Liturgical Year provides a structure for the Church’s collective memory. The Calendar tells us what readings the church has designated to be used for each day. It lays down the special feasts and commemorations celebrated during each season and it sets out the colour of the vestments to be worn by the priest during each different celebration.

Advent (Violet)

Advent is seen as a time for preparation, anticipation and hope as the Church looks forward to celebrating the birth of The Lord Christ Jesus. In the Global North, Advent falls at the darkest time of the year towards the Winter Months and the natural symbols of darkness and light are echoed through the progressive lighting of candles. As Christmas draws nearer, the focus falls on John the Baptist (“Prepare ye the way of the Lord”) and then, finally on Mary, as she prepares to give birth to the Saviour.

Christmas (White/Gold)

The Christmas Season is much more than simply a celebration of the birth of The Lord Christ Jesus. It reminds us of the central truth of “the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us” (John 1.14), fulfilling the Prophesy of Isaiah – both readings always being included in the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The church chooses white for the Feast of Christmas because it is the Colour of Purity and New Life.

Epiphany (White/Gold)

Epiphany means manifestation. For us the Feast of Epiphany (6th January) celebrates the visit of the magi (wise men) to the infant The Lord Christ Jesus and then explores other ways in which The Lord Christ Jesus reveals himself to be the Son of God. This includes marking the baptism of The Lord Christ Jesus by John the Baptist, which is the central focus point in the East, where this feast originated.

Ordinary-to-Extraorindary Time (Green)

The Calendar includes two periods of Ordinary Time, which allow for a more uninterrupted reading of scripture in sequence. During the season between Christmas and Lent, the readings may focus on The Lord Christ Jesus’ Early Ministry of Teaching and Healing and the Gathering of Disciples. Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) celebrations often mark the end of this season. Ordinary Time resumes later in the year.

Ash Wednesday (The Beginning of Lent)

The Mark of Ashes, a Symbol of Repentance, is given to Christians to indicate the start of the penitential season of Lent. Ashes, created by the priest from the previous year’s palm crosses, are etched in the sign of the cross on the foreheads of the congregation at a special service, which symbolises the beginning of 40 days of fasting in preparation for Easter.

Lent | 40 Days Fasting & Penance Season (Violet)

Lent is a 40-day fast and penance period in the church. It can be a time of Self-denial, of Self-examination or of Making Positive Changes, as well as a Time to go the Extra Mile. It is a Time of Preparation for and Renewal of Baptism.

Holy Week

As the time for Holy Week approaches the atmosphere of the season darkness as we begin to anticipate The Lord Christ Jesus’ Crucifixion, Suffering and Death for the Great Atonement of Original Sin and the Sins of Humankind.

Holy Week begins with a re-enactment of The Lord Christ Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, then progresses through the Washing of Feet and Last Supper of Maundy Thursday, the Betrayal, Trial and Crucifixion on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, a Time of Desolation and Despair in anticipation for the Manifestation of the promised Great Triumph – the Resurrection.

EASTER DAY & EASTER SEASON (White/Gold)

EASTER Eve:

On the night of Easter Eve, or Holy Saturday, we begin the service around a fire in the church yard and process into an only Candle-lit area of the Church witness to the coming of The Lord Christ Jesus’ GREAT RESURRECTION bringing ‘The Light of The Lord Christ Jesus’ once more into the world. The first part of the service continues with candles only until, with the proclamation of the resurrection, the church is filled with light.

EASTER Day:

On Easter Day, the Fellowship of the Brethren gather to celebrate The TRIUMPH of The RISEN Lord Christ Jesus, Renew our Baptism Vows and Welcome New Communicants. The Season of Easter is celebrated for Fifty Days, culminating in Pentecost.

The GREAT ASCENSION:

The Lord Christ Jesus’ Ascension to Heaven and the end of His Earthly Ministry is celebrated at the end of forty days.

PENTECOST Day – Promise Fulfilled:

The Feast of Pentecost itself celebrates the coming of God The Holy Spirit upon the Disciples, Universal Evangelism – the GREAT Outpouring and the Supernatural Gift of Baptism of the Fire of God The Holy Spirit for Great Exploits, Miracles, Signs and Wonders.

Ordinary-to-Extraordinary Time (Green)

Another, slightly longer, period of ‘Ordinary-to-Extraordinary Time’ is entered after Easter. Here again is an opportunity for more uninterrupted reading of scripture in sequence and other themes may also be explored, such as creation and the environment, and for creative responses to the Saints’ Days that occur at this time. At Corpus Jehovah Fellowship, we accentuate our Corpus Jehovah Foundation which undertakes a lot of Resource Mobilisation for our Socio-Economic Relief Impact Programs to ameliorate the incidence of hard graft and mass impoverishment.

Corpus Jehovah Post-Great Recession Christian Reconstruction Week

While not part of any liturgical calendar, Christian Reconstruction Week is another opportunity for us to reflect upon – and help – those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Founded in the aftermath of e GREAT Recession 2007-09, its sole purpose is of Preventing Economic Suffering for Global Citizens regardless of FAITH or none.

Harvest Festival

This festival usually takes place during September/October and is a celebration of the food grown on the land. Harvest Festival is an ancient tradition, dating back to pagan times and, as such, reflecting the larger part of our history when we had a more direct relationship with the land. However, it still has huge resonance today as it reminds us of all the good things God has brought us and that we should share these with people less fortunate than ourselves.

The Christian Year, sometimes called the Church Year or the Liturgical Year, is a centuries-old way that many Christians have ordered the 365-day year. It depends, on key aspects of the life of The Lord Christ Jesus that are coordinated with the Solar Calendar.

The Major Holidays (literally, Holy Days) in the Church Year are:

1- Christmas (December 25),

2- Good Friday and Easter (in the spring, dated according to Jewish Passover), and

3- Pentecost (seven weeks after Easter).

4- Every other special day or season fits around these crucial days (Advent, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, etc.).

When I have asked about the awareness of the Brethren I come across in my international travels about the Christian Year, the vast majority had little or no knowledge of it, apart from the big holidays of Christmas and Easter. If they had any sense of the Christian Year, they assumed that it was something for Catholics and other high church folk, with little relevance for the rest of the Brethren. I can understand this perspective because I was raised in a church that recognized Christmas, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter.

In time I came to appreciate the richness that such a Holistic Perspective of the Christian Seasons and the Christian Calendar can bring to the Spiritual Wellbeing, Life and Programming of a church, as well as providing Vital Framework to my Personal Devotional Life.

In time, I am able to identify and hook onto the Unique Anointing that flows with Advent and carries me through the Annual Anniversary of The Lord Christ Jesus The Lord Christ Jesus, Easter, the Resurrection, Ascension through to the GREAT Outpouring Anniversary of Pentecost Day and Season of the Spirit and the celebration of The Lord Christ Jesus’ Kingly Reign. Believe it or not, there is a sense in which late November begins my preparation for the Whole Annual Seasons of the Christian Church – the Fellowship of the Brethren. Enlightenment and Recognition of the Christian Year has enriched my faith in many ways:

We do not have in the New Testament some equivalent to Leviticus 25, where The Supreme Jehovah GOD Father of Creation lays out for Israel the major fasts and feasts during the year. So, although the Liturgical Year is structured around the biblical story of The Lord Christ Jesus, it is not commanded in Scripture in the way of the Jewish holidays for the Jews. Of course, Christians are not commanded to celebrate Easter or Christmas in the way we do either. The Church Year, therefore, is not something all Christians must observe, or must observe in exactly the same way. For example, Eastern Orthodox believers have a different pattern throughout the year and even celebrate Easter on a different day.

Nevertheless, I believe that an Enlightenment about the Liturgical Year of Public Service can enrich our worship and therefore our relationship with The Supreme Jehovah GOD Father of Creation.

Overview of the Christian Year

I should say that there is not one, universally-recognized version of the Christian Year. One finds variation in timing and practices, sometimes even within one denomination or tradition. For example, many Presbyterian Churches use purple as a primary Advent colour, while other Presbyterian churches use royal blue, and other Presbyterian churches decorate their worship spaces with secular Christmas colours of red and green without paying much attention to Advent. None of these choices is necessarily wrong or right, though, as you may guess, I would encourage any church to recognize Advent and be enriched by its themes. Colour schemes are clearly secondary in importance.

All versions of the Christian Year, to my knowledge, recognize Christmas and Easter as the twin hubs around which rotate a wide variety of feasts, fasts, and seasons of the year. But, even the specific dates for Christmas and Easter vary among different Christian traditions. However, the following description pulls together some Main Strands of the Christian Year practiced in the West within many Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church.

Below is a Framework:

ADVENT SEASON

Advent Season Dates & Duration:

Begins four Sundays prior to Christmas. Includes all days until Christmas (or Christmas Eve). Length varies according to date of first Sunday. The beginning of the Christian Year.

Advent Season Themes:

Waiting upon The Lord

Expectation

Hope

Yearning

Our need for a Saviour

Joy

Christians remember the Jewish yearning for the “advent” (from Latin for “coming” or “visit”) of the Messiah. We also get in touch with our hope for the Messiah’s Second Advent.

CHRISTMAS SEASON

Christmas Season Dates and Duration:

December 25th through January 5 – A Twelve-day Season.

Many Christians begin celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, most people including Christians think of Christmas as a day, not a season! But, as the song narrates, there are twelve days of Christmas.

Christmas Season Themes:

Celebration of the Incarnation of the Word of The Supreme Jehovah GOD Father of Creation

Salvation

Joy

Kingdom, and

Giving

EPIPHANY SEASON

Epiphany Season Dates and Duration:

January 6 – The day after the Season of Christmas.

Epiphany Season Themes:

Some traditions emphasize

The visit of the Magi (Wise Men), and

The Universal Import of Salvation in The Lord Christ Jesus.

Other traditions focus on

The Baptism of The Lord Christ Jesus.

We combine focus on The Visit of the 3 Wise Men, Revelations and Angelic Visitations for Special Assignments and Miracles, The Gift of Salvation and Baptism.

ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY TIME

Ordinary to Extraordinary Time Season Dates and Duration:

Times during the year when there is not a Special Day or Season. Ordinary time begins the day after Epiphany and extends until the day before Lent (Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday). Ordinary time begins again after Pentecost, extending until the day before Advent.

Ordinary to Extraordinary Time Themes:

Ordinary to Extraordinary time is not “plain, boring time,” but rather “counted” time of Continued Transformation into the Likeness of The Supreme Jehovah GOD through the Indwelling of The Holy Spirit and the Total Renewal of Mind.

Different traditions include many celebrations during Ordinary to Extraordinary Season such as Trinity Sunday, The Lord Christ Jesus the King Sunday, All Saints Day, and so forth.

Ordinary to Extraordinary Season Themes:

The Themes of Ordinary to Extraordinary Season include

The Basic Elements of the Christian Life.

LENT SEASON

Lent Season Dates and Duration:

Forty weekdays prior to Easter; Beginning with Ash Wednesday.

The precise dates vary according to the date of Easter, which can range from March 22 to April 25. The six Sundays during the season of Lent are not counted in the forty days.

Lent Season Themes:

Penitence

Morality

Human Limitations

Need for a Saviour

Self-Denial

Preparation for Good Friday and Easter

Some Christian traditions emphasize Lenten fasting (from food and other delights)

Other traditions focus on adding Spiritual Disciplines

HOLY WEEK SEASON

Holy Week Dates and Duration:

The last Seven Days of Lent, prior to Easter.

Holy Week includes: Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Holy Week Season Themes:

The Last Week of The Lord Christ Jesus’ Life

The death of The Lord Christ Jesus and its meaning

Love for one another (Maundy Thursday).

Palm Sunday celebrates The Lord Christ Jesus and King but leads into a solemn preparation for remembrance of His Crucifixion.

EASTER SEASON

Easter Season Duration and Dates:

A fifty-day Season of the Year, beginning on the Evening before Easter and continuing for Seven Sundays until Pentecost.

The Easter Season includes the GREAT ASCENSION Day, 40 Days after Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday or Resurrection Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (March 21). (The Eastern Orthodox Easter occurs a week later.)

Easter Season Themes:

Salvation

Victory

New Life

Joy

The Eternal Reign of The Lord Christ Jesus

PENTECOST DAY & SEASON – Begins 50 days after Easter Sunday

Pentecost Day and Season Dates and Duration:

Pentecost Day falls on the Seventh Sunday after Easter Day i.e. 50 days after Easter Sunday.

Pentecost Day and Season Themes:

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

The Birth of the Christian Church

Power for Service in the Christian Church and Universal Evangelism in the World

The Inclusion of all of The Supreme Jehovah GOD Father of Creation’s people in the Assignment of Ministry

“Pentecost” comes from the Greek word for Fifty, from the phrase “fiftieth day [after Easter].” In some traditions it is called Whitsunday (White Sunday), perhaps owing to the white garments of those baptized on this Sunday.

PENTECOST ORDINARY-to EXTRAORDINARY SEASON –

Approximately 5 Months from Pentecost Day to the Eve of Advent at End of Autumn i.e. Late November

Pentecost Ordinary to Extraordinary Season Dates and Duration:

From the Day After Pentecost through the Day before Advent, about five months.

THE EASTERN ORTHODOX ALTERNATIVE

The Orthodox year begins in September and includes several feasts and fasts that are not part of the Western Christian Year. For example, what Western Christians call Advent, for Orthodox Christians, is called the Christmas or Nativity Fast. It begins on November 15 and is a 40-day season of serious fasting in preparation for the 12-day season of Christmas. For more information on the Orthodox calendar, see this article on “Easter Orthodoxy Sacred Time.”