THE EPISCOPAL LITURGICAL CALENDAR
This page is designed for those seeking an introduction to the
liturgical seasons celebrated in the Episcopal Church. Each season
carries its own history, traditions, and meanings. Each has a
distinctive color, which you see reflected in the vestments and
hangings on the altar. The liturgical year begins with Advent.
ADVENT
Each year, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and
continues through Christmas Eve. The name derives from a Latin
word for “coming.” Advent is a time of preparation and expectation
for the coming celebration of Christ’s nativity; it is a time for
prayerfully reflecting on God’s incarnation. On the altar, you see an
Advent wreath, which has four candles - one for each Sunday before
Christmas. The candles symbolize hope, love, joy, and peace. The
color of Advent is purple. In antiquity, purple was an expensive dye
associated with royalty, and Advent celebrates the coming of the
King. Since we prepare through reflection and repentance, purple is
also a penitential color.
CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMAS SEASON:
The word Christmas derives from the Old English words meaning
“Christ’s Mass.” The Christmas season lasts for twelve days,
beginning at sundown on December 24th and ending January 5th.
Christmas is a joyful celebration of the birth of Christ, when God came
to us in human form to save us from our sins. The color of Christmas
is white or gold. The New Testament often uses white to describe
angels and the risen Lord. Gold symbolizes triumph.
EPIPHANY and EPIPHANY SEASON:
January 6th is the Feast Day of the Epiphany. The name derives
from a Greek word meaning “the appearance.” Epiphany
commemorates the visitation of the Biblical Magi, or Wise Men, to the
child Jesus, and therefore Christ's manifestation as God to the
Gentiles (or non-Israelite tribes of the Bible).
The season of Epiphany varies in length from year to year, because it
lasts until the day before Lent, which is itself based on Easter. The
color of the Epiphany season is green. Green is the color of
vegetation and therefore life and growth.
This page is designed for those seeking an introduction to the
liturgical seasons celebrated in the Episcopal Church. Each season
carries its own history, traditions, and meanings. Each has a
distinctive color, which you see reflected in the vestments and
hangings on the altar. The liturgical year begins with Advent.
ADVENT
Each year, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and
continues through Christmas Eve. The name derives from a Latin
word for “coming.” Advent is a time of preparation and expectation
for the coming celebration of Christ’s nativity; it is a time for
prayerfully reflecting on God’s incarnation. On the altar, you see an
Advent wreath, which has four candles - one for each Sunday before
Christmas. The candles symbolize hope, love, joy, and peace. The
color of Advent is purple. In antiquity, purple was an expensive dye
associated with royalty, and Advent celebrates the coming of the
King. Since we prepare through reflection and repentance, purple is
also a penitential color.
CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMAS SEASON:
The word Christmas derives from the Old English words meaning
“Christ’s Mass.” The Christmas season lasts for twelve days,
beginning at sundown on December 24th and ending January 5th.
Christmas is a joyful celebration of the birth of Christ, when God came
to us in human form to save us from our sins. The color of Christmas
is white or gold. The New Testament often uses white to describe
angels and the risen Lord. Gold symbolizes triumph.
EPIPHANY and EPIPHANY SEASON:
January 6th is the Feast Day of the Epiphany. The name derives
from a Greek word meaning “the appearance.” Epiphany
commemorates the visitation of the Biblical Magi, or Wise Men, to the
child Jesus, and therefore Christ's manifestation as God to the
Gentiles (or non-Israelite tribes of the Bible).
The season of Epiphany varies in length from year to year, because it
lasts until the day before Lent, which is itself based on Easter. The
color of the Epiphany season is green. Green is the color of
vegetation and therefore life and growth.
Welcome to
Nativity Episcopal Church
Nativity Episcopal Church
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
Worship |
| Nativity Episcopal Church 21220 West Fourteen Mile Road Bloomfield Township, Michigan 48301 Phone: 248-646-4100 Fax: 248-646-4101 General Inquiries: office@nativityepiscopalchurch.org Diane Morgan, Vicar: revdmorgan@sbcglobal.net; pastoral emergencies only: 313-598-1128 |
