top of page

The Christian Calendar

(Also called the Liturgical Calendar, which simply means a calendar of worship.)

​

The church year follows a different schedule than the months from January to December. It is separated into seasons based on events in the life of Jesus. Although the details vary from tradition to tradition, it is a rhythm that has been followed by churches all over the world for centuries. It is a rhythm that shapes our worship and connects us to all of God's people. Following are the liturgical seasons that we celebrate:

  • Advent: preparing for the birth of Jesus, and also expectantly waiting for his second coming

  • Christmastide: celebrating Jesus' birth

  • Epiphany: the time between Christmastide and Lent, celebrating the ways Jesus was revealed to us

  • Ash Wednesday: the first day of Lent; a day of penitence

  • Lent: the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays) focused on spiritual disciplines

  • Palm Sunday: the celebration of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem before his trial and death

  • Maundy Thursday: celebrating Jesus' last supper with his disciples

  • Good Friday: commemorating Jesus' death

  • Easter Vigil: commemorating Jesus' time in the tomb - a time of expectant waiting

  • Easter: celebrating Jesus' resurrection

  • Ascension Day: celebrating Jesus' going to heaven

  • Pentecost: celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples

  • Ordinary* Time: a time of spiritual growth applying Jesus' teaching to our lives, ending with "Christ the King" Sunday (*Coming from the word "ordinal" as in "counted" because of the tradition of numbering the Sundays after Pentecost.)

Representational calendar of the liturgical year. Image from GodSpace

Image from GodSpace

2024-2025 Christian Year

Advent: December 1 - 24, 2024

Christmas: December 25

Christmastide: December 25 - January 5, 2025

Epiphany: January 6

Season of Epiphany: January 12 - March 2

Ash Wednesday: March 5

Lent: Wednesday, March 5 - April 17

Palm Sunday: April 13

Maundy Thursday: April 17

Good Friday: April 18

Easter Vigil: April 19

Easter: April 20

Eastertide: April 20 - May 29

Ascension Day: May 29

Pentecost: June 8

Ordinary Time: May 30 - November 23

bottom of page