More Than Two Holidays
Most Christian families celebrate Christmas and Easter enthusiastically. Between and beyond these major holidays, spiritual life flattens into undifferentiated ordinary time. January through March feels spiritually empty after Christmas decorations come down. Summer stretches endlessly without spiritual markers. Fall passes without sacred celebrations until Christmas preparations begin again.
But the church calendar offers rich rhythm of celebrations throughout the year—seasons of preparation, festivity, reflection, and joy marking the entire story of redemption. Families who follow the liturgical year discover that every season carries spiritual significance, that the Christian story unfolds across twelve months, not just two holidays.
Following the church year doesn't require liturgical tradition or formal denomination. Any Christian family can mark these seasons, creating traditions that root children in the full scope of Christ's work and the church's story. It transforms calendar from secular march of months into sacred rhythm of remembering, celebrating, and anticipating God's redemptive work.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart." - Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV)
God designed humans for rhythm and seasons. The liturgical calendar provides spiritual rhythm matching our need for variety, anticipation, celebration, reflection, and routine. It makes every season opportunity for formation.
Understanding the Liturgical Year
The Church Calendar Structure
The Christian year follows Jesus' life and the church's formation:
Major seasons:
- Advent: 4 weeks before Christmas—waiting for Christ's coming
- Christmas: 12 days from December 25 to January 6—celebrating incarnation
- Epiphany: January 6—celebrating Christ revealed to nations
- Ordinary Time (after Epiphany): Weeks following Epiphany
- Lent: 40 days before Easter—preparation through fasting and repentance
- Holy Week: Week before Easter—Jesus' passion and death
- Easter: 50 days celebrating resurrection
- Ascension: 40 days after Easter—Christ ascending to heaven
- Pentecost: 50 days after Easter—Holy Spirit's coming
- Ordinary Time (after Pentecost): Remaining weeks of year
Why Follow the Church Calendar?
It tells the whole story: Not just birth and resurrection, but incarnation, ministry, ascension, Spirit's work, and waiting for return.
It creates anticipation: Seasons of preparation make celebrations more meaningful. Waiting heightens joy.
It provides variety: Different seasons emphasize different aspects of faith—joy, repentance, celebration, reflection, service.
It connects to church history: Billions of Christians across 2,000 years have marked these seasons. You're joining historic practice.
It forms spirituality holistically: Different spiritual disciplines and emphases throughout year create balanced faith.
Advent: Waiting for Christ
What Is Advent?
Four Sundays before Christmas, focusing on waiting for Christ's coming—both His historical birth and His promised return. Themes: hope, peace, joy, love.
Family Advent Traditions
Advent wreath:
- Four candles (traditionally three purple, one pink) plus white Christ candle in center
- Light progressively more candles each Sunday
- Week 1: Candle of Hope
- Week 2: Candle of Peace
- Week 3: Candle of Joy (pink)
- Week 4: Candle of Love
- Christmas: Light Christ candle
- Read Scripture and pray about weekly theme
Advent calendar:
- Daily activities or Scripture readings counting to Christmas
- Acts of service or kindness
- Focus on Jesus, not just presents
Jesse Tree:
- Daily ornaments representing Old Testament stories leading to Christ
- Read corresponding Scripture
- Discuss how it points to Jesus
Emphasis on waiting:
- Teach delayed gratification
- Discuss Second Coming alongside first coming
- Practice anticipation and patience
Christmas Season: Twelve Days of Celebration
Beyond December 25th
Christmas isn't single day but season—twelve days from December 25 to January 6 (Epiphany).
Extending the Celebration
Keep decorations up through January 6: Don't rush to take down Christmas immediately. Celebrate the full twelve days.
Daily Christmas readings: Read different accounts of Christ's birth (Matthew 2, Luke 2, prophecies from Isaiah, etc.).
Visiting and hospitality: Rather than cramming all socializing into December, spread celebrations through early January.
Continued giving: Serve others throughout Christmas season, not just before December 25.
Reflection and gratitude: Process the season slowly rather than racing through it.
Epiphany: Christ Revealed to the Nations
What Is Epiphany? (January 6)
Celebrates wise men (magi) visiting Jesus—first Gentiles to worship Him. Represents Christ revealed to all nations, not just Jews.
Family Epiphany Traditions
Three Kings Day celebration:
- Read Matthew 2 about magi
- Discuss how Jesus came for all people
- Add wise men figures to nativity (they arrive at Epiphany, not Christmas)
- Serve "King Cake" with hidden coin or figure
- Give gifts on January 6 instead of December 25 (following magi's timing)
Mission focus:
- Pray for unreached people groups
- Learn about different cultures
- Discuss Great Commission
- Support missionary work
Light as theme:
- Jesus as light to nations (Isaiah 60:1-3)
- Discuss being light in darkness
- Star of Bethlehem symbolism
Lent: Preparation Through Fasting and Repentance
What Is Lent? (40 Days Before Easter)
Period of preparation mirroring Jesus' 40 days in wilderness. Focus: repentance, fasting, prayer, almsgiving. Somber tone prepares hearts for Easter joy.
Beginning Lent: Ash Wednesday
If your church observes Ash Wednesday: Attend service where ashes mark foreheads: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
At home:
- Discuss mortality and need for Christ
- Read Genesis 3 (curse after fall)
- Begin Lenten disciplines
- Make Lenten goals as family
Lenten Practices for Families
Fasting:
- Give up treats, screens, or luxuries
- Age-appropriate fasts (young children: candy; teens: social media)
- Fast as family from something shared (TV, restaurants, etc.)
- Discuss why we fast: training discipline, focusing on God, identifying with Christ's sacrifice
Almsgiving (giving to poor):
- Daily coins in Lenten jar to donate Easter Sunday
- Weekly service projects
- Sponsor child through compassion ministry
- Deliver meals to homebound
Prayer emphasis:
- Daily family prayer time
- Pray for specific people/needs
- Learn new prayer practices
- Extended prayer on Fridays
Scripture focus:
- Read Gospel accounts of Jesus' final week
- Study Isaiah 53 (suffering servant)
- Memorize key verses about sacrifice and salvation
- Daily devotional reading
Stations of the Cross:
- Walk through Jesus' final hours using Scripture and prayer
- Available as books, online resources, or church displays
- Helps children understand crucifixion narrative
Keeping Lent Appropriate for Children
Not punishment: Frame fasting as spiritual discipline, not deprivation. We choose to set aside good things to focus on best thing—God.
Age-appropriate sacrifices: Don't burden young children with fasts beyond their understanding. Simple, brief sacrifices teach the principle.
Balance somber with hope: Yes, Lent is serious, but always with Easter joy in view. Not unrelenting gloom.
Holy Week: Jesus' Final Days
Palm Sunday
Sunday before Easter—Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Traditions:
- Wave palm branches (real or craft paper ones)
- Read Matthew 21:1-11
- Shout "Hosanna!"
- Process around house or yard like crowd welcoming Jesus
- Discuss why crowd welcomed Him and why they'd reject Him days later
Maundy Thursday
Thursday before Easter—Last Supper, Jesus washing disciples' feet.
Traditions:
- Special meal together reenacting Last Supper
- Read John 13-17
- Foot washing (if comfortable)
- Serve one another
- Discuss communion meaning
- End evening somberly, knowing betrayal and arrest follow
Good Friday
Friday before Easter—Jesus' crucifixion.
Observance:
- Read crucifixion accounts (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19)
- Attend Good Friday service if church offers
- Fast from noon to 3 PM (hours Jesus hung on cross)
- No TV, games, regular entertainment—solemn day
- Discuss why Jesus died
- Make cross crafts or art
- End with "wait until Sunday" hope
Holy Saturday
Saturday before Easter—Jesus in tomb, waiting.
Observance:
- Quiet day of waiting and preparation
- Prepare for Easter celebration: color eggs, bake, decorate
- Read about Jesus in tomb
- Discuss disciples' despair—they didn't know Sunday was coming
- Build anticipation for resurrection
Easter Season: Fifty Days of Resurrection Joy
Easter Sunday
Celebration:
- Sunrise service (if available) or watch sunrise together
- Shout "He is risen! He is risen indeed!"
- Read resurrection accounts
- Breakfast feast
- Church service
- Egg hunt with resurrection symbolism explained
- Special meal celebrating
- Joyful, exuberant worship
The Great Fifty Days
Easter isn't single day but fifty-day season until Pentecost.
Continuing celebration:
- Read resurrection appearances throughout Easter season
- Keep "Alleluia" as frequent exclamation
- Maintain festive atmosphere
- Study what resurrection means theologically
- Discuss our future resurrection
Ascension Day: Christ Ascending to Heaven
What Is Ascension? (40 Days After Easter, Always Thursday)
Jesus ascended to heaven to reign at Father's right hand and send Holy Spirit.
Family Ascension Traditions
Observance:
- Read Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:50-53
- Discuss Jesus' current role: High Priest, King, Advocate
- Look up—Jesus is in heaven
- Release balloons with prayers/praises written on them (biodegradable)
- Fly kites representing ascension
- Sing "Crown Him with Many Crowns" or ascension-themed hymns
- Pray thanking Jesus for His completed work and ongoing intercession
Pentecost: The Spirit's Coming
What Is Pentecost? (50 Days After Easter)
Holy Spirit descended on believers, empowering church. Often called church's birthday.
Family Pentecost Traditions
Celebration ideas:
- Read Acts 2
- Wear red (symbolizing fire of the Spirit)
- Light candles representing Spirit's presence
- Fly streamers representing wind
- Birthday cake for church
- Discuss Holy Spirit's role: Comforter, Guide, Teacher, Empowerer
- Pray for Spirit's filling and gifts
- Study spiritual gifts
- Multi-language activity (Pentecost enabled speaking in tongues)
Ordinary Time: Not Ordinary at All
What Is Ordinary Time?
Weeks not in major seasons. Called "ordinary" from "ordinal" (counted time), not because mundane.
Making Ordinary Time Meaningful
Focus on discipleship and growth: Major seasons celebrate events; ordinary time focuses on living out faith daily.
Study systematic theology: Use ordinary time for deep dives into doctrine.
Establish weekly rhythms: Ordinary time is perfect for sustainable spiritual habits.
Serve consistently: Not just holiday service but ongoing ministry.
Saints' Days and Lesser-Known Celebrations
All Saints' Day (November 1)
Celebration:
- Remember Christians who've gone before—both famous and family members
- Read Hebrews 11-12 (great cloud of witnesses)
- Share stories of faithful believers who influenced your family
- Light candles for deceased Christian family members
- Dress as biblical heroes or church history figures
- Make "All Saints Cookies" decorated like people
Reformation Day (October 31)
Protestant celebration:
- Commemorate Martin Luther posting 95 Theses
- Study Reformation history
- Discuss justification by faith
- Read Romans together
- Sing "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
- Alternative to Halloween focus
Transfiguration (August 6)
Observance:
- Read Matthew 17:1-13
- Discuss Jesus' divine glory
- Hike to high place if possible
- Emphasize Jesus' identity as God's Son
Annunciation (March 25)
Celebration:
- Nine months before Christmas—angel announcing Jesus' conception to Mary
- Read Luke 1:26-38
- Discuss Mary's faith and obedience
- Pray for courage to say yes to God's calling
Creating Your Family's Liturgical Calendar
Start Small
Don't try observing everything first year. Begin with:
- Advent (you probably already do some of this)
- Lent (add simple fasting/service practice)
- One or two lesser celebrations (Epiphany, Pentecost)
As practices become habits, add more.
Adapt to Your Tradition
Not all denominations observe all celebrations identically. Adapt to your theology and comfort level:
- More liturgical traditions: embrace full calendar
- Low-church traditions: observe major seasons, skip saints' days if uncomfortable
- Non-denominational: pick and choose what resonates
The goal isn't rigid adherence but using church calendar to enrich spiritual life.
Make It Your Own
Create traditions unique to your family within each season:
- Special foods for different celebrations
- Unique decorations marking seasons
- Family-specific ways of observing fasts and feasts
- Blend cultural heritage with church calendar
Use Visual Reminders
Display liturgical calendar where family sees it:
- Change wall hanging/banner for seasons
- Use liturgical colors (purple for Advent/Lent, white for Christmas/Easter, red for Pentecost, green for Ordinary Time)
- Keep visible calendar marking upcoming celebrations
- Seasonal decorations reflecting church year
Benefits for Children
They Learn the Full Story
Not just Christmas and Easter, but incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, Spirit, and waiting for return. Comprehensive narrative.
They Develop Spiritual Vocabulary
Advent, Lent, Pentecost, Epiphany—rich theological language becomes familiar.
They Experience Rhythms
Life has seasons. Joy follows sorrow. Waiting precedes celebration. Preparation enhances reception. These spiritual rhythms mirror life rhythms.
They Connect to Church Universal
Christians globally and historically have marked these seasons. Children join something bigger than their local church or family.
They Develop Anticipation
Instant gratification dominates culture. Liturgical year teaches waiting, preparation, and delayed satisfaction—spiritual formation.
Practical Resources
Books
- Celebrating the Christian Year by Martha Zimmerman
- To Dance with God by Gertrud Mueller Nelson
- The Year and Our Children by Mary Reed Newland
- All Through the Year by Catherine Fournier
Websites
- LiturgyLink.com—liturgical year explanations
- FlyingFigs.com—downloadable liturgical year resources
- Catholic Cuisine—recipes for liturgical seasons (useful for all Christians)
Devotionals
- Advent devotionals (many published annually)
- Lenten guides
- Daily liturgical readings apps
The Long View
If your family follows the church calendar from when children are young through their teen years, they'll experience:
- Eighteen Advents waiting for Christ
- Eighteen Easters celebrating resurrection
- Eighteen Lents learning discipline and preparation
- Hundreds of saints' days, feast days, and celebrations
These repeated rhythms sink deep. The three-year-old lighting Advent candles becomes the teenager who understands anticipation. The child who colored Easter eggs reflecting on new life becomes the adult whose resurrection hope sustains through suffering. The family that fasted together during Lent becomes adults who practice spiritual disciplines.
Liturgical calendar isn't just tradition—it's formation. Year after year, season after season, celebration after celebration, the full story of redemption writes itself on hearts.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
God created seasons—physical and spiritual. The church calendar honors this design, providing rhythm that mirrors both creation and redemption. Birth, death, resurrection, ascension, Spirit's work, waiting, preparing, celebrating, serving—all find their season.
Your family can live this rhythm. Not as burdensome obligation but as gift—structure that enriches rather than restricts, traditions that form faith rather than replace it.
This coming year, follow Jesus through the seasons. Wait in Advent. Celebrate at Christmas. Prepare in Lent. Rejoice at Easter. Receive the Spirit at Pentecost. Grow in ordinary time. And discover that every season—every single one—offers opportunity to encounter God, grow in faith, and form children who know that Christianity isn't two holidays but full-year journey following Christ through time.
Make this year sacred. All of it. Every season. Every celebration. Every ordinary moment transformed by awareness that you're walking through God's story, marking His work, and forming your family in the rhythm of redemption that has shaped Christians for two millennia.