Christian Traditions of the Season

Christian traditions of the Season

Heather Rashall

Advent

Advent marks the beginning of the Christian calendar. In fact, Advent is an actual season. It’s a time of looking forward, the story of waiting, longing, expecting and finally arrival. This season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, culminating with the celebration of the birth of Christ. 

The word "Advent" comes from the Latin for "coming,". Not only is it a time of anticipation of his birth but also a reflection on his promised second coming. Often this includes traditions like lighting candles on an Advent wreath and count down calendars. Many churches display decorations with the colors of purple or royal blue, which are considered the liturgical colors of Advent.

Christian Calendar

If Advent is new to your family, you may also be wondering about the Christian calendar. The Christian calendar is an annual cycle of seasons and observances that follow the life of Jesus, consisting of two main cycles: the Christmas cycle and the Easter cycle. Celebrating the seasons in the calendar are a way for God’s people to continue in spiritual formation and growth in our faith. It helps us to orient our lives to the life of Christ. I’ve included an article by Alexander Thomas, which  I often refer back to, as a reminder that as Christians, our time should be organized differently. 

Twelve Days of Christmas 

Everyone is familiar with the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song but did you know that, like most folk songs, this one has historical roots and a deeper meaning for Christians? Following the church calendar includes many seasons which we do not often consider in our modern times. This tradition of celebrating for twelve days is one of them.

As early as 567 A.D., the church began formally setting aside the twelve days, which runs from Christmas Day through Twelfth Night on January 5th, with the season of Epiphany following the first Sunday after January 6th. This time marks both a sacred and festive season with Advent as the precursor. The twelve days represent the time that it took for the three wise men or kings to travel to Bethlehem to visit baby Jesus and offer him gifts. With that in mind, the twelve days became a festival season of celebrating, feasting, and remembrance of those who have gone before us in the faith. And isn’t that something worth celebrating. 

Season Reflection

I pray you will take time to pause, reflect and consider how your family may choose to celebrate Christmas a little differently this year. Take a moment to study the Christian calendar and consider observing Advent and maybe even celebrating the twelve days of Christmas. As Ashley Wallace says in A Thrill of Hope: Celebrating Advent at Home, “In the world in which we live, we are given no time to prepare for the birth of Our Lord and Savior and then no time to celebrate it once we get there.” Advent gives us that time of preparing to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Let this ring true for our families this Advent and Christmas season!