The information below tells of
human traditions that have built up over the centuries. The practice of
keeping the church year dates back to fifth century Jerusalem and is helpful
in marking time and focusing church attention on different aspects of the
Christian story. Here are the six seasons with a brief word about each. The altar linens and cleregy vestments are changed to match the color of the season.
ADVENT
Advent is the first season of the church year and begins four Sundays before
Christmas. It is set aside as a season to prepare for Christmas, Christ's
first coming, and to remember that he will come again. ADVENT is from the
Latin word Adventus, meaning "coming," The color for ADVENT is purple or lavendar
CHRISTMAS
These are the eleven days from Christmas Day until January 6, the start of
Epiphany. It is a time for remembering Jesus' birth and the idea of the
Incarnation—God becoming human. The color for Christmas is white often
trimmed in gold.
EPIPHANY
From January 6 until Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent, is the
season of Epiphany, which means, "revealing" or "showing forth." Epiphany is
the season for remembering that Jesus came to be the savior of the whole
world. The color for EPIPHANY is green
LENT
This is the season of preparation for Easter, which starts on Ash Wednesday
and lasts 40 weekdays and six Sundays. Lent is a time for self-examination.
The color for LENT is purple or lavendar
EASTER
This is the oldest and greatest day of celebration in the Christian Church.
Easter is the day and season for remembering that Jesus not only died, but
that he was raised from the dead. The season of Easter lasts 50 days from
Easter Day to the Day of Pentecost. The color for EASTER is WHITE, trimmed
in gold.
DAY OF PENTACOST is the day when the disciples felt the Holy Spirit come upon them
and empower them to go out and tell Jesus' story and celebrates the birth of
the Christian Church. The color of the Day of Pentacost is red the color associated with the Holy Spirit.
PENTACOST
The season of pentacost lasts all through the summer until Advent.
The color for the Season of Pentacost is green appropriate for
the season of growth.
The church year starts again four Sundays before Christmas with ADVENT.
