What is the Christian calendar?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Christian calendar serves as a sacred framework for the year. It provides believers with a tangible rhythm for spiritual reflection and celebration. God has always used rhythms and feasts to help the Israelites remember what was important. He commanded them to observe the weekly Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) and seven annual feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Booths (Leviticus 23)—each designed to remind His people of His faithfulness, provision, and salvation. These feasts find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. While Christians are not commanded to observe these feasts like the Israelites were (Colossians 2:16-17; Romans 14:5-6), the pattern of celebration and remembrance remains spiritually meaningful. Celebrating these feasts and following the Christian calendar provide believers with structured opportunities to focus on God’s work in history and in their lives. Liturgical observances like Advent, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost in the Christian calendar can help believers live intentionally, mark sacred moments, grow in faith, and unite with the global Church in celebrating the ongoing story of salvation.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Celebration and remembrance are important to God. In addition to the weekly Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11), He proclaimed seven annual festivals (or feasts) for the Old Testament Israelites to observe , each with the purpose of helping the them remember what God had done for His people: the Passover (Exodus 12:1-14; Leviticus 23:4-5), the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15-20; Leviticus 23:6-8), the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14; Numbers 28:26), the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-22; Numbers 28:26-31), the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1-6), the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-34, 23:26-32), and the Feast of Booths (Leviticus 23:33-44; Numbers 29:12-39). These festivals are fulfilled in Jesus.
• Of the annual feasts, the Passover was the most important and remains so to this day. Jews would, if able, travel to Jerusalem for Passover each year. It was the first major celebration mandated by God to the Israelites when He rescued them from Egypt (Exodus 12).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Christian calendar is a way of organizing the year and the church's overall calendar to remember and celebrate what Jesus has done to bring peace between God and humanity (John 16:33; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:1-10).
• Christians view the Passover in the light of Jesus as the ultimate Passover sacrifice. Easter is directly tied to the Passover celebration. The Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples was the traditional Passover dinner (Matthew 26:17-29). Passover was always meant to point to the coming Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7).
• The events on the Christian calendar are not prescribed in the Bible, nor are Christians compelled to observe the Jewish feasts. However, many find that following the Christian calendar or participating in Old Testament celebrations helps in their walk with the Lord. Whether we celebrate these events on the Christian calendar or not, we must follow what Paul explained in Colossians 2:16-17: "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ."
• Romans 14:5-6 communicates a similar message: "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God." For some, the Christian calendar can provide rhythm to our lives centered around Jesus.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Christian calendar is a composite of all the major Christian celebrations that happen annually. The calendar shows the pattern of a year in light of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the beginning of the Church. It is also sometimes referred to as the liturgical calendar.

The Christian calendar is often depicted in a circle with time periods like Advent and Lent, as well as something called Ordinary Time, when there are no large celebrations. Here are the general categories:

Lent: The forty-day period (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter

Holy Week: The week leading up to Easter

Easter: The celebration of Jesus rising from the dead

Pentecost: The celebration of the Holy Spirit being poured out and the start of the Church

Trinity Sunday: A day to emphasize the Trinity

Ordinary Time: Often the summer and fall months

Advent: The approximately twenty-five days leading up to Christmas (it begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas)

Christmas Day: The celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Epiphany: The celebration of the visit of the Wise Men to see Jesus

Ordinary Time: The second period of no major celebrations leading up to Lent.

How each denomination names periods on the calendar and how much detail is given may vary. But the overall structure is typically the same and is anchored in Jesus. Following a church calendar reminds us of the story of salvation and to keep Christ at the center of our lives throughout the year. It provides rhythm to our faith and unites believers around the world. The Christian calendar can remind believers to live intentionally by marking sacred moments, and to grow deeper in faith.

UNDERSTAND

• The Christian calendar centers the year on Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and the Church’s beginnings.
• The Christian calendar builds on Old Testament feasts fulfilled in Christ and includes observances like Advent, Lent, and Easter.
• Believers can use the Christian calendar to mark sacred moments that encourage them to live intentionally and connect with the global Church.

REFLECT

• How could following the Christian calendar help you keep Christ at the center of your life?
• Which season or celebration on the Christian calendar most helps you reflect on God’s work in your life, and why?
• How might observing these rhythms shape the way you live intentionally throughout the year?

ENGAGE

• How can we use the Christian calendar to grow together in faith and unity?
• How do the Old Testament feasts fulfilled in Christ deepen our understanding of Jesus?
• How might participating in the rhythms of the Christian calendar help us engage with the global Church and the broader story of salvation?