Resources

Introduction to the Christian Year
John D. Witvliet
Address to the Calvin College Chapel

Summary: The Christian year divides the calendar and leads Christians on an annual cycle of memory and anticipation through key events in Jesus' life.
Key Points
. The Christian year is anchored in the main salvation history events described in the New
Testament.
. The Christian year also provides a way of understanding the Christian life.
. In the past generation, many Christians in many traditions have recovered the Christian year as a basic framework for organizing their common prayer and worship.
Full Text

Introduction
The way we tell time says a lot about us. The dates we circle on our calendars reveal what is
most important to us. Lovers of leisure circle vacation days and orient their lives around them. If
family is important to you, then you probably focus on birthdays and anniversaries. Many
wake up each day counting the days until our major work or school assignment, our next
vacation, birthday, or holiday. We are creatures of time.

Throughout the history of the church, Christians have in various ways attempted to put Christ
the center of their personal calendars. The most universal way comes to us in what is often
the "Christian year" or the "church year," a series of celebrations and seasons that divides up the
calendar and leads Christians on an annual cycle of memory and anticipation through key
in Jesus' life. Continued...

Key Statements
. It is helpful to think of the Christian year as a devotional guide ... that is nearly universal. By following the Christian year, we join our hearts in prayer with Christians throughout history and throughout the world.
. It is a means to hold before us these crucial events and to challenge us to orient our lives
around these events.
. The seasons are periods of several days or weeks that lead up to or follow the big events of
Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. The length of these observances provides space to savor the
meaning of these climactic events.
. In every case, the point of it all is nothing less than 'to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus...'