Session 3: The Christian Year

Liturgical Year

• The liturgical year is rooted in history and was developed from the practices of the early Church.
• The evolution of the Christian year was a slower, more complicated process.
• Christianity inherited two great festivals from Judaism: Passover and Pentecost.
• Epiphany, the third great festival, is the most puzzling in terms of origins.

Incarnation Cycle

• Begins with Advent, which lasts for four Sundays.
• Celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ.
• Colors used: purple (representing penitence and preparation) and gold/white (representing majesty and purity).
• Advent wreaths are used, with candles lit each week.

Christmas and Epiphany

• Christmas lasts for 12 days, ending with Epiphany (a moment of great revelation).
• Colors used: gold/white (representing majesty and purity).
• Epiphany commemorates the visit of the wise men to Jesus.

Lent and Easter

• Lent lasts for 40 days (excluding Sundays).
• Represents a time of reflection and penitence.
• Colors used: purple (representing penitence and preparation) and red (representing blood or the fire of renewal and power).
• Celebrates the sacrifice of Jesus and his resurrection.

Ascension and Pentecost

• Ascension Day celebrates Jesus' ascension into heaven.
• Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit.
• Colors used: red (representing blood or the fire of renewal and power) and white (representing purity).

Ordinary Time

• Interrupts the Incarnation Cycle for a few weeks.
• Focuses on the teaching ministry of Jesus.

Kingdom Season

• Celebrates the Kingship of Christ.
• Ends with Christ the King.
• Colors used: red (representing blood or the fire of renewal and power).

Lectionary

• Provides a common pattern of biblical proclamation.
• Serves as a guide for linking children's work, intercessions, hymn choices, and sermons.
• Helps connect Christians across the world and different denominations.

Liturgical Colors

• Purple: represents penitence and preparation.
• Gold/white: represents majesty and purity.
• Red: represents blood or the fire of renewal and power.

Vestments

• Have their roots in biblical times.
• Are symbolic and not worn for fun or to dress up.
• Examples: albs (sacramental garments), chasubiles (sacramental garments), cassocks and surplices (non-sacramental services).

Test your knowledge of the different seasons of the ecclesiastical Christian year, how it was developed, the colours and symbolism associated with them, the liturgical calendar used in both Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches and how both of these things can help unite us as disciples of Christ.