The Wheatland Mission

The Concept of Christian Time

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16

Some of you may be wondering why we have been celebrating Advent and you may be wondering why a new, non-traditional church plant like The Wheatland Mission would be observing the Christian Calendar at all. Let me take a minute to explain the value of the Christian Calendar or the Church Year.

Let me begin by asking you which dates on the calendar you remember most? Certainly we all remember those important birthdays of loved ones and children along with our wedding anniversaries. We probably remember big dates too like graduation dates, the last day of school, the yearly party at work or other big days on the calendar. And of course, we do remember dates like Christmas, July 4 (obviously) and other holidays.

I contend that these dates help us organize our time. Most of us look forward to the holiday season every year. Since we were kids we had the arrival of Christmas pegged into our mind. One of the biggest factors in organizing our year is the school calendar. Even if you don't have kids in school you still think in these terms. It is hard not to.

By observing the Christian Calendar we can organize our time around the life of Christ and our process of being transformed more and more into his likeness. Rather than organize our days around the school year, the holiday shopping season or the three day weekends, it is wise for us, as followers of Christ, to think about our time with Jesus in mind.

The overview that follows is simply a way of connecting the time of year, found on the Christian Calendar, with a phase within the life of Christ and his people. I trust that the value of this approach to time will be obvious.

ADVENT is a time of preparation for Christ's arrival and incarnation. It is also a time for us to remember that there was a time when one had to wait upon the arrival of the redeemer and Messiah. We all need to be reminded, no longer how long we have walked with Christ, that we need a savior. (begins four weeks prior to Christmas)

CHRISTMAS is the anchor of every kids calendar. The real story of St. Nicklaus is great but a pale comparison to the real gift of Christmas. Instead, this is the time of year when we celebrate the arrival of Messiah. This is when we celebrate the miracle of the Incarnation--the fact that Christ has become a flesh and blood human being. (Jn 1:14, I Tim 2:5) Celebrating Christmas is essential in our understanding of how we are saved because Christ had to become a human being to accomplish our redemption. (two weeks after December 25)

EPIPHANY is far more than a fresh personal discovery. It is the when we celebrate the manifestation of Christ's divinity and mission. The passage about Jesus' first miracle is often read during this time. (Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana.) Through epiphany we celebrate the "revealing" of Christ's purpose and mission. (early January)

LENT is a word that all of us have some passing familiarity with. Most of us associate Lent with a Catholocism that was all ritual with no relationship to Christ. This may or may not have been true but it remained our perception. Understood in its proper context Lent is actually a time for journeying with Jesus as he prepares for his ultimate sacrifice. We journey with Jesus through Lent by engaging in activities such as repentance, fasting, and giving to the poor. Through these experiences we not only become more aware of the facts surrounding Christ's life and his death but we experience them to some degree as well.

While there have been some excesses and misuses of this important time on the Christian calendar it is no doubt one of the most important parts of the calendar precisely because it prepares us for Easter. It is important that we not simply swing around the calendar year only to be surprised by Easter. It is a time we must prepare for. (early-mid Feb until Easter)

EASTER has always been an important time in the lives of Christ followers. Prior to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, the original followers of Jesus would have celebrated Passover at some time during this season. Passover was a prefigure of our celebration of the resurrection. This is a celebration of the source of our spirituality. We are called to die to sin through identifying with the death of Christ and we are called to a new life through his resurrection.

Celebrating the resurrection of Christ is a crucial aspect of our personal and corporate faith. We commemorate Christ's death everytime we share in the Lord's Supper but it is good for us to set specific time of year aside to relive the experience of crucifixion and resurrection through the reading of Scripture, important spiritual disciplines and participation in the Lord's Supper. (late-March to late-April)

PENTECOST is the last official day on the calendar between Easter and the beginning of the year which is Advent. Pentecost is our way of celebrating the birth of the Church through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which provides the believer and the church with the abiding presence of Christ. Pentecost is a crucial celebration for us because it serves to remind the believer that they are never alone but exist in community with one another through the indwelling of God's Spirit. It is crucial also because it is a reminder to us of the empowerment we receive for ministry through the Spirit. At Pentecost the Spirit comes to continually enrich our understanding of Jesus and to empower our ministry in his name. (usually in June)

This overview is brief and several valuable details have been left out for the sake of brevity. Keep in mind that the Christian Year is intendend to help us think more naturally of Christ's life and to pattern our lives around his. At its most simple, the Christian Calendar is pattern for our everyday spirituality.

None of us are sufficient unto ourselves for the task of spiritual formation. We need one another, we need all kinds of assistance and the Christian Year is an ancient, time tested and reliable aid for that purpose. The Wheatland Mission is going to observe the Christian year in thoughtful and creative ways letting the Christian concept of time transform our experience within our high speed world.

Please share some of your thoughts, feelings or questions in the comment section. This can be a great opportunity to get to know one another and enhance our experience of the Christian Year.

posted by The Wheatland Mission @ 1:37 PM