The Liturgical Calendar

The liturgical calendar is a way of telling a story that centers on the saving work of God in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The year is divided into seasons that have specific themes and practices that help us live into the story of Jesus.

​The resources that print and poem provides highlights the liturgical seasons of:
​
1  Advent
2  Christmas
3  Epiphany
4  Lent
5  Easter
6  Ordinary Time​​

ADVENT

A new liturgical year begins with Advent. The word Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means arrival. This first season consists of the four Sunday’s leading to Christmas Day, when we marvel at the arrival of the promised Messiah. While we look and wait with expectation for God to fulfill his promises, we practice patient hope. At the same time, we lament over the brokenness all around us and in us and pray with earnestness for God to make all things new.

The Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree provides us with a tangible way to count down and look toward Jesus’ coming through the stories of the Old Testament. Written by Matt Timms and illustrated by Sam Gutierrez, the Jesse Tree is a great way to enter this beautiful and special season. Buy the book and find a link to download the symbols to cut out and hang on your tree!

CHRISTMAS

Christmas Day is the first major feast day in the liturgical calendar, so it’s time to eat, drink, celebrate, dance, and sing. What God has done is so marvelous, so beautiful, and so good that the liturgical calendar gives us a season of twelve days to ponder and revel in the mystery of the incarnation.

A Guide to Christmas Feasting

For almost 1500 years, Christians have been celebrating and feasting during the 12 days of Christmas (also known as Christmastide).  In 567, the Council of Tours proclaimed the twelve days from Christmas Day to Epiphany (Jan 6) to be a sacred and festive season.  And so it began!

Godbirth

Godbirth is a collection that began as a series of Christmas presents to friends and family.  A total of thirty-four poems written over a period of three years collected into a book of poetry to read on a quiet evening by the fire during the holiday season.

EPIPHANY

The season of Epiphany begins with the Feast of Epiphany on January 6 and ends the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The word Epiphany means “to appear” or “to bring to light.” It’s a season of increasing light as we begin to see more clearly that the vulnerable baby born in a manger is the glorified King of heaven and earth.  Epiphany ends with the lights on maximum as we see Jesus transfigured on the mountaintop on the last Sunday in Epiphany.

Bright

A collection of poems for the season of Epiphany.

LENT

The forty days of Lent can be summed up with one powerful word – Return. Many times over the course of our lives we leave the well-marked path of wisdom. We wander, we take short-cuts, we blaze our own trail and eventually without fail - we get lost. The word Lent comes from a Latin word meaning “fortieth.” Lent is a rich season that emphasizes repentance, fasting, prayer and turning toward God for mercy and forgiveness.

The Reason Love Reaches

A collection of 40 poems for the season of Lent. One for each day to shed light on your path as you journey home.

The Jesus Questions

Believe it or not, Jesus asked over 300 questions in the gospels. For this study, each person draws one question to reflect on and pray about for a week. Gather together and share thoughts, ideas, prayers, and questions.  Reflection questions are provided for each question to help deepen the engagement.

EASTER

​Alleluia – Chris is risen! Easter Sunday is the second major feast day so it’s time to celebrate.The liturgical calendar gives Easter an entire fifty days and just like Christmas, a single day is not sufficient to explore the wonder and far reaching implications of Jesus rising from the dead. The season of Easter is filled with the wonder of God’s power and love demonstrated in the resurrection. An important aspect of these fifty days is to respond in gratitude to God – by living for him and by telling others of his marvelous deeds.

ORDINARY TIME (AND THE WHOLE YEAR)

This special part of the year starts with Trinity Sunday (Sunday after Pentecost) and ends with Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent. At the start, Trinity Sunday reminds us that we live, move and have our being within the life of the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At the end, Christ the King Sunday puts the spotlight firmly on Jesus, the exalted king of heaven and earth. Through Christ God is working, loving and reconciling all things to himself.

Haiku Bible Study

Haiku Bible Study is a "practice" and a small group experience that explores the lectionary. The idea is simple: Start by summarizing each of the four scripture passages for a given Sunday. Then write a haiku based on the common theme. Gather together with others and share your creative insights.​  (September 2021 - August 2022)