Starts
|
4 Sundays before Christmas
|
Ends
|
Christmas Eve
|
Colors
|
Purple or Blue
|
Themes
|
Penitential; eager anticipation, preparation, quiet waiting; return of Christ in Glory
|
| Observances
|
Church: Advent wreath
|
| |
Home: Advent calendar or wreath
|
Starts
|
Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
|
Ends
|
Epiphany (Jan. 6)
|
Colors
|
White and gold; red; green
|
Themes
|
Joy, peace, rebirth of light in darkness
|
Observances
|
Midnight Service, Family services earlier in evening
|
Starts
|
Feast of Epiphany, Jan. 6
|
Ends
|
Mardi Gras (also called Shrove Tuesday, (before Ash Wednesday) Carnival)
|
Colors
|
Green
|
Themes
|
Growth, spreading of light, spreading of good news. Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles (Magi)
|
Observances
|
Church: special observance at end: burial of "Alleluia" on last Sun. of season;…. pancake supper @Shrove Tuesday
|
Starts
|
Ash Wednesday
|
Ends
|
Easter Vigil, Holy Sat. evening or Easter morning
|
Colors
|
Purple, red, black
|
Themes
|
Penitence; cleansing; fasting; purifying; returning to God; prepare for Baptism
|
Observances
|
No "alleluia" sung or said; plain/purple altar hangings; crosses veiled; no flowers
|
Starts
|
Easter Vigil, held either Sat. evening or early Sun. morning
|
Ends
|
Pentecost, fifty days after Easter
|
Colors
|
White, gold
|
Themes
|
Joy, new life, rebirth, Resurrection
|
Observances
|
Church: Alleluia is back; festive white hangings; crosses unveiled; flowers; Easter Vigil-Baptism
|
Starts
|
40 days after Easter/ Thursday
|
Starts
|
Pentecost Sunday
|
Ends
|
Feast of Christ the King/Sat. before Advent I
|
Colors
|
Red for feast; green for season
|
Themes
|
Feast: gift of the Spirit; season: discipleship, evangelism
|
Observances
|
Church: "church's birthday"
|
|
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