The Church Calendar is a tough sell in our evangelical culture. It’s not so much because of historical illiteracy; it’s mainly because of historical inconsistency or historical preferences. Most in our culture have a fondness for national and localized festivities. As I’ve said, it’s not a poor keeping of time; it’s a selected keeping of time. I want to argue that there is a time that supersedes civic time and that is the Church time.
Now, I am aware that once we begin this conversation, there will be all sorts of fears about celebrating days for saints, for angels, and other such things. But I am simply arguing for a celebration of the basic church calendar; the five evangelical feast daysa (Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost). If most churches cherished and celebrated a general outline for the calendar, we could begin to see a greater harmonization of themes, topics, and vision for the church universal.
If some were to say, “Why can’t we sing Christmas carols whenever we want to; after all every Sunday is Christmas?” The answer is: “For the same reason you don’t sing Happy Birthday to your child whenever you want to. It’s true that every Sunday is Christmas, but every Sunday is also Easter and Pentecost and Trinity Sunday, etc.” You can do those things, but it takes away from the appointed observance of such a time. If some were to say: “Why am I bound to observe this church calendar?” Answer: “You are not bound to. Your church is not bound to; simply, history has shown its wisdom and its longevity has shown its importance.” There is a historical harmony established on these general feast days that all churches of all ages share. My simple point is that it would be good to begin thinking through these questions if you do not come from a background that celebrates the Christ-life throughout the year.
- I would gladly add the celebration of Advent in preparation for Christmas (back)
