Beginning in the ancient Church, early Christians began to mark their seasons with the primary events from the life of Christ, much as the Jews marked off their own years with festivals. First, the Church celebrated the festivals of Easter and Christmas. These festivals were often used to baptize new converts, so the Church began to celebrate seasons of preparation before each (Advent before Christmas, and Lent before Easter). Soon the calendar celebrated the whole story of Jesus from the proclamation of His birth to his death, resurrection, ascension, and pouring out of the Spirit on Pentecost. Ordinary time is the season after Pentecost (sometimes called Trinity Season) during which the Church focuses on the new life of Christ growing within the communion of believers.

Every year, the congregation will strive to “journey through” the whole story of Christ in weekly worship, keeping us in sync with the Church around the world and through history. The calendar gives rhythm to the worship and preaching of the Church, keeping the Gospel of Christ central to everything we do. With this ongoing rhythm of the life of Christ and the life of the Church, and with the use of the Common Lectionary,
we learn to shape our lives according to the Biblical story.
This unique cycle keeps Emmaus Road in a slightly different cadence than our surrounding culture: While most people are already celebrating Christmas, Christians learn to wait in Advent; before the joy of Easter comes, the penitence of Lent. The discipline of the Church calendar reminds us that the experiences of life are wide-ranging - including both longing and hope, grief and joy - and that Christ's word is meaningful to all of these experiences.

What is the purpose of the Christian calendar?