A Journey:
Advent, Christmas, Epiphany
by Susan Greeley
It’s November 30—Happy New Year! No, I’m not getting ahead of myself. The church calendar is just one example of how our Christian faith often puts us at odds with the secular world. The beginning of the church year doesn’t fall on January 1, but rather on the First Sunday of Advent. In 2008 that means that November 30 is New Year’s Day.
As a generalization, we spend the first half of the half of the church year with lectionary texts about the life of Jesus. Roughly the second half of the year is spent with Gospel passages about Jesus’ teachings and ministry.
The first three seasons of the church year—Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany—are all of a piece.
The tell the story of Christ’s life from its foretelling, to the nativity, to the coming of the Magi, to Jesus’ baptism. So this year try distancing yourself from contemporary culture’s idea of Christmas—both when it occurs and how long it lasts. Take a step back, look at the whole church year, and celebrate these first three seasons as if they were three verses of the same song. It’s a beautiful tune sung in many different ways around the world. Read more
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