The “Church Year” is an ancient way of telling time. Rather than measuring time exclusively according to the natural seasons, Christians have traditionally measured time in their worship with a calendar built around the life of Christ. Some of the seasons of the Church Year date back to our earliest written records of Christian worship. The current form of the Christian calendar, including its colors, dates, and feasts, was firmly in place by the medieval period

Each season is reflected in the colors used for the altar linens and the clergy’s vestments, the texts read, and other liturgical practices like the lighting of the paschal candle. When certain feast days fall during the week it is not unusual to celebrate them on the nearest Sunday. This generally does not apply to Ash Wednesday or Christmas Day.

The Seasons Of The “Church Year”

• Advent- The Season of Expectation- This is the first season of the church year and begins four Sundays before Christmas Day.  The season of Advent is a time of waitng and preparing for the joyful welcome of the Christ child.  The color for this season is either Purple (for royalty) or Blue (for the Virgin Mary).
• Christmas – The Season of Incarnation - For 12 days, from Christmas Day (December 25) through Epiphany Day (January 6) the Church celebrates the miraculous incarnation of God in the person of Jesus.  The color of this season is White.
• Epiphany Day – The visit of the three kings. Christ is made known to the world The color of Epiphany Day and season is Green
• Lent – The Season of Reflection- For forty days (not including Sundays) prior to Easter Sunday the Church reflects on the suffering of Jesus. Together, we approach the cross. Worship during this period is traditionally more subdued and penetential. Many people also fast during the season of Lent. The color for this season is Purple. Holy Week- The final week of Lent is called “Holy Week.” Often churches that do not typically meet daily for worship will meet every day of Holy Week. At the minimum, they will worship on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The color for Holy Week remains Purple, although some churches use Redon Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday.  Some churches also use Black on Good Friday.
• Easter – The Season of Resurrection -For fifty days beginning on Easter Sunday Christians celebrate the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus and the certain hope of their own resurrection.  The color for Easter is White..
• This season ends on the Sunday of Pentecost, when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit onto the Aostles.  The color for Pentecost is Red.
• Pentecost or Ordinary Time -The Season of Nurture and Growth- The periods of time following Epiphany and Pentecost are referred to as “Ordinary” because their Sundays are numbered in ordinal fashion. The focus of Pentecost is on developing a deeper understanding of Christian discipleship.  The color for this season is Green(for growth).
• The church year begins again the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day with the season of ADVENT.

The chart below is a quick guide to the Seasons of The Church.

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