The "Ordinary" season

Two weeks ago we began the “non-festival” or “ordinary” portion of the Christian church year. We relive the great events of the life of Christ during the “festival” portion of the church year from the First Sunday of Advent through the Day of Pentecost. The dominant liturgical colors are blue, purple and white. During that time we joyfully celebrate the events that took place in our Savior’s life to save us from sin. Those events include His conception, birth, baptism, transfiguration, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. In short, during the festival portion of the Christian church year we focus on Jesus Himself and what He did to gain forgiveness of sins, new life and salvation for us.

After reliving the great salvation events of the life of Christ, the worshiping Church spends the next half a year focusing on the teachings of Christ. The “non-festival” or “ordinary” portion of the church year extends from Holy Trinity Sunday (the first Sunday after Pentecost) through the Last Sunday of the church year (Christ the King). The dominant liturgical color for these 20 plus Sundays is green, the color of life and growth. During this time we focus on the Spirit-guided work of the Church. The appointed lessons cover a great body of doctrine for faith and life. We learn how to apply God’s saving truths to our lives by building up our faith, educating us how to live our faith in everyday situations and evangelizing the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

One way to look at the church year is that in the festival half of the year we focus on Jesus’ life and in the second half we focus on His teachings. Another way of looking at it is that in the first half of the year we focus on Christ’s life lived for us and in the second half we focus on our life lived for Christ. The first half can focus more on justification and the second half more on sanctification.

However you look at it, enjoy this not-so ordinary “ordinary” season of the church year.