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The
Ecclesiastical Calendar
The Season of Advent Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on the day before Christmas. The decorations are purple or blue; royal colors to welcome the King. Advent originated as a period during which converts prepared themselves for baptism through instruction, prayer, fasting and reflection much like Lent. The length of Advent varied from three days to six weeks - six weeks being approximately 40 days, the length of time that Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for his ministry. The general topic of Advent is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Over the last fifty years, Advent has come to anticipate the Nativity as well. Bible readings and sermons during Advent include prophecies of the birth of Christ.
The Season of Christmas In most churches the decorations are white to represent the angels who announced Jesus' birth. Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. In most churches, the Bible readings and sermons during the Christmas season concern the birth of Christ, the slaughter of the innocents, the flight to Egypt and other related events. The Christmas season actually begins at sundown on December 24 and lasts through sundown on January 5. For that reason, it is also known as the Twelve Days of Christmas. Christmas began in Rome as a response to pagan festivities centering around the winter solstice, which was locally considered to be December 25. The pagan celebration, which was established by the Roman Emperor Aurelian in AD 274, was called The Birth of the Invincible Sun. Christians were in the minority in those days, so they either had to abstain and look dour or participate and betray their faith. In about AD 335, Roman Christians began to celebrate the Incarnation of God in Jesus Christ on December 25 to assert their Christian faith during the pagan feast.
The Season of Epiphany Epiphany is a prime Christian feast, celebrated on January 6 and is also called Twelfth Day or Little Christmas. It commemorates the baptism of Jesus and the visit of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. It is the Twelfth Day of Christmas that we sing about and is sometimes called the twelfth night. In Hispanic and Latin cultures it is known as Three Kings Day. In most churches, the decorations are green to symbolize growth and life. The general topic of Epiphany Season is Jesus' manifestation of Himself as God. In most churches, Bible readings and sermons during this time of the year deal with Jesus' identity, beginning with His baptism. Special Days during
the Season of Epiphany
The Season of Lent Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. In most churches, the decorations are purple or blue, royal colors to prepare for the King. Special Days during
the Season of Lent
Holy Week Holy Week is the last week of Lent. Holy Week observances began in Jerusalem in the earliest days of the Church, when devout people traveled to Jerusalem at Passover to reenact the events of the week leading up to the Resurrection. Holy Week observances spread to Spain by the fifth century, to Gaul and England by the early seventh century. They didn't spread to Rome until the twelfth century. The purpose of Holy Week is to reenact, relive and participate in the passion of Jesus Christ. In most churches the decorations are red to symbolize the blood of martyrdom, except on Good Friday when they are black to represent mourning. Special Days during
Holy Week
The Season of Easter During Easter Season, the theme of worship is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter Season begins on Easter Day and lasts 50 days, ending on Pentecost. In most churches, the decorations are white, gold, or white and gold. White represents the angels who announced the resurrection, while gold symbolizes triumph. The date that Easter is celebrated is not the same the world over. The Western Church designates the first Sunday after the first full moon that follows the spring equinox as Easter Sunday.
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