Seasonal rhythms erupted in northwest Ohio this past week. Trees ignited in reds, yellows, and oranges. We actually experienced several sunny days accentuating the fall colors.
One season brilliantly illuminating the way into another sequence of time. Time changed a few weekends ago too – bringing darker mornings.
Now we are transitioning from colors to drab. Yet I hold the promise of new life as bird nests once hidden suddenly appear. Read more here about my lessons about bird nests.
I am not a fan of the gloomy winter days. I long for the joy found in the light and warmth of summer.
But there is a comfort in living into the rhythms of each year. The discovery of each season’s gifts. The understanding that there is a time of everything in life.
A few weeks ago I heard a speaker say we really only deal with 2-4 main issues our entire lives. Like a spiral, we keep coming back to the same flaws, strengths, and desires over and over again but with a different perspective, lens, and insight with the passing of time.
Seasonal rhythms provide the mile markers of this spiritual inner work.
The Church Year in Seasonal Rhythms
Does your church family celebrate the church calendar?
Mine does. We are just finishing up the long period of time called the Ordinary time or the time after Pentecost. I wrote about the church year here on this older post.
We are quickly approaching rapidly changing church seasons, but I love the joys each time brings.
Each block commemorates a different aspect of Christian experience and tradition. The dates rotate slightly each year depending on where Christmas and Easter occur.
- The church year begins on the first Sunday in December marking the beginning of Advent.
- Then the Christmas season is celebrated from the glow of candles and singing of Silent Night on Christmas Eve through January 6, Epiphany.
- The season after Epiphany begins January 7 and lasts until Ash Wednesday.
- Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Easter. The special days of Good Friday, Maundy Thursday and Baptism of our Lord are recognized in this season.
- Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21. Because the date for Easter moves between March 22 and April 25, the length of the Season After Epiphany and the Season After Pentecost varies. The Easter Season is fifty days long and goes through the Day of Pentecost.
- Then the long season after Pentecost begins immediately after Pentecost Sunday and continues until the beginning of Advent. This season is known as Ordinary Time.
The church year calendar forms around the events in Jesus’ life. Then we too can center our lives, our worship, our spiritual formation around the lessons learned from walking and talking with Him.
I love seeing the colors in worship change with each season of the liturgical year. Purple, white, green, black, red, pink, gold and others decorate the pulpit and altar creating a reflective atmosphere and setting the stage for pondering God.
The rhythm of each season and of each turning of the church calendar calls me to pattern my life after Jesus. This won’t happen immediately but needs to be nourished, cultivated, given sun and rain and even times of rest for healthy growth to occur. Seasons allow this time of deepening, sowing, harvesting, and letting go.
May the Son accentuate all the colors in life.
I love how the church year brings richness to each and every season.
How do the seasons and church year nourish your spiritual walk?
I miss the church calendar observances of our former churches when my husband was a pastor. But they’re still in my heart as memories! After 40 years in Florida, I’m reveling in the seasons we now get to enjoy, living in the Midwest. You are right, Jean: there is joy to be found in the discovery of each season’s delights. For example, the leafless trees allow us to see the lacework of the branches–and sight more birds too!
Yes we really do have the seasons in the midwest – including the Orange barrel one. LOL. Even the darkest dreariest season teach us don’t they?
Our pastor was recently in Israel during their Holy Days so we have been learning more about the furniture in the Tabernacle, individual feast days, etc., and how they relate to us today. I’m looking forward to our Advent series soon! We don’t do a lot of seasonal observation at my church, but we do a LOT more than the church of my heritage so I can’t complain. 🙂
Wow that really connects us across time to ancient traditions. Love how your pastor is sharing this lesson. Advent can be such a wonderful deepening time. Praying God blesses you during this season.
Hi Jean!
It is always exciting to read the messages and the response of brethren’s in Christ! In my church there are specific days just like yours! What I enjoy most is the topics from our Lectionary book. Each week has its own topic and they are relevant for all the days to be commemorated according to our Christian calendar. For example; like Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Holy Week (Commence) Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Whit Monday, All Saints’ Day, Christ the King and Advent Sunday! I thank God Almighty and Glory be unto Him, for He reigns forever!
I am with you in honoring the days with the church calendar. Thank you for commenting!! God is good
Yes, I love the rhythmic changes on the church calendar, Jean. Each season does invite us to experience God and worship in different, unique ways. May we savor every one of them!
Blessings!
Yes each season holds invitations for us if we just look and respond
Jean, good morning!
Yes, there is great comfort and joy that come with cultivating spiritual rhythms and practices … and seeing God’s handiwork in the changing seasons.
I love the image of spiritual rhythms and the lessons they hold.