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The liturgical calendar as 
a whole exists in large part 
to remind us that Christ 
has sanctified all of time, 
bringing us and the whole 
of our experience into the 
orbit of resurrection.
Laurence Stookey

Let us disciple our time…
 
 
I love journeying with you each year through the liturgical calendar. Writing this newsletter is one of my favorite monthly activities - a chance to slow down, be reminded of what is good and true and beautiful, and ask the Lord for fresh eyes to see where He is at work in my very own time and place.
 
In honor of this edition marking three years of Seasons Greetings, we're zooming out to look at the bigger picture: what is the liturgical year and why should we observe it?
 
The church year guides us in a yearlong meditation on God’s redemptive love. Every 365 days, we journey through the history of God’s people, the life of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, the church calendar rightly places us within God’s story, reminding us that our own birth is not the start of the story—it is only our entrance into the story. 
 
While the seasons repeat every year, the virtues of each annual cycle layer on the previous cycle(s), a glorious upward spiral inviting us to make deeper connections to scripture in our hearts and minds, drawing us closer to God in Spirit and in truth as we make the life of Christ present in our hearts and homes year after year. 
 
Breathe
 
Inhale: my mind is fixed on you
 
Exhale: I am in perfect peace
 
of Isaiah 26:3-4
Pray
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
 
Sing
Let's be practical…
I could wax poetic about the beauty of the Church year for a long time, but I already did that above. So here are four reasons to celebrate the liturgical calendar that have nothing to do with church:
 
1. Year-round reasons to host a party. Christians are fun. Whether we're hosting 12th Night extravaganzas or Ramalation Biscuit bake-offs, there is literally a reason to host a Church-calendar related party every month of the year (if you want to)
 
2. It's an excuse to eat the best treats. Seriously. Pancakes and waffles for dinner for Fat Tuesday & the Annunciation. Soft pretzels during Lent. King cake on Epiphany. Lusseskater on St. Lucy's Day. Blackberry pie for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday. Donuts on Halloween. And so many more.
 
3. It gets you outside. Whether it's hardcore watersports to celebrate the baptism of Jesus (brrrr), beating the bounds during rogationtide, hilltop picnics for the Ascension, bonfires for the Feast of St. John the Baptist, or zoo visits to honor St. Francis, there's always a reason to get outside and enjoy creation year-round with the Church calendar
 
4. It breaks the year into nice, manageable chunks. This is super helpful if you (like me) like to plan things out 2-3 months at a time. In fact, in England, the year used to be broken up into four quarters based on Church feasts (this is when rent was paid, people were fired, etc.) -
  • Lady Day (Feast of the Annuciation) on March 25
  • Midsummer Day (Feast of St. John the Bapstist) on June 24
  • Michaelmas (Feast of St. Michael and All Angels) on September 29
  • Christmas (obviously) on December 25
 
Bonus
 

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