Here is a brief explanation of The Church Year.
The Church Year
Transfiguration Sunday
The most splendorous and radiant manifestation of Jesus’ deity is shown to us on the last Sunday of the Epiphany Season. The event is the climax of the season. It is the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Taking Peter, John, and James, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. “And as He was praying, the appearance of His face was altered and His clothing became dazzling white.” Moses and Elijah of Old Testament days “appeared in glory and spoke to him of his departure which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Peter, James, and John were asleep for a while, but “when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.” Then, “a cloud came and overshadowed them” and “a voice came out of the cloud saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!'”
The most splendorous and radiant manifestation of Jesus’ deity is shown to us on the last Sunday of the Epiphany Season. The event is the climax of the season. It is the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Taking Peter, John, and James, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. “And as He was praying, the appearance of His face was altered and His clothing became dazzling white.” Moses and Elijah of Old Testament days “appeared in glory and spoke to him of his departure which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Peter, James, and John were asleep for a while, but “when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.” Then, “a cloud came and overshadowed them” and “a voice came out of the cloud saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!'”
Such a splendid facet of the diamond of Epiphany! It is one that also shows us the glory that Jesus will share with us in the world to come.
Epiphany
Epiphany is from a Greek word, meaning to "reveal" or "make manifest." The season of Epiphany is our time to focus on the revelation of "who" Jesus is: both true God and man.
Dates: Evening Prayer on January 5 through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
Colors: White and green
Epiphany begins with the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, which celebrates the visitation of the Magi to the infant Christ. The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “revealing.” It comes from the Greek word epiphaneia. Epiphany also marks the first time the Messiah was shared with those outside of Israel, the Gentiles.
When the Gentile Magi come to worship Jesus, they show that everyone now has access to God. Now all people, Jew and Gentile, can come to God’s temple and worship, because Jesus is the new temple: God in the flesh.
—Treasury of Daily Prayer, p. 9
(source: The Seasons of the Church Year).
An Explanation of Luther's Seal
Printed below is a letter from Dr. Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler-–July 8, 1530, explaining his seal:
"Grace and peace in Christ!
Honorable, kind, dear Sir and Friend! Since you ask whether my seal has come out correctly, I shall answer most amiably and tell you of those thoughts which now come to my mind about my seal as a symbol of my faith.
There is first to be a cross, black and placed in a heart, which should be of its natural color [red], so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us.
Even though it is a black cross, which mortifies and which also should hurt us, yet it leaves the heart in its natural color and does not ruin nature; that is, the cross does not kill but keeps man alive. For the just man lives by faith, but by faith in the Crucified One.
Such a heart is to be in the midst of a white rose, to symbolize that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace; in a word it places the believer into a white joyful rose; for this faith does not give peace and joy as the world gives and, therefore, the rose is to be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and of all the angels.
Such a rose is to be in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in the Spirit and in faith is a beginning of the future heavenly joy; it is already a part of faith, and is grasped through hope, even though not yet manifest.
And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that in heaven such blessedness lasts forever and has no end, and in addition is precious beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.
May Christ, our dear Lord, be with your spirit until the life to come."
Advent
(Usually the end of November to Dec 24th).
Here's a great page to find some online devotional materials for you and your family for Advent. Just go here.
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Looking for ways you can celebrate Advent at home? Go here.
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What is the history and significance of the Season of Advent, and what's the meaning of the Advent candles and wreath?
The word "advent" is from the Latin word for "coming," and as such, describes the "coming" of our Lord Jesus Christ into the flesh.
Advent begins the church year because the church year begins where Jesus' earthly life began--in the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation. After Advent comes Christmas, which is about his birth; then Epiphany, about his miracles and ministry; then Lent, about his Calvary-bound mission; then Easter, about his resurrection and the sending of the apostles; and then Ascension (40 days after Easter) and Pentecost, with the sending of the Holy Spirit.
The first half of the church year (approximately December through June) highlights the *life* of Christ.
The second half (approximately June through November) highlights the *teachings* of Christ.
The parables and miracles play a big part here. That's "the church year in a nutshell," and it should help reveal how Advent fits into "the big picture."
Advent specifically focuses on Christ's "coming," but Christ's coming manifests itself among us in three ways--past, present, and future. The readings which highlight Christ's coming in the past focus on the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation atBethlehem
The traditional use of Advent candles (sometimes held in a wreath) originated in easternGermany
The concept of giving each candle a name, i.e., Prophecy,Bethlehem
There are many beautiful customs and traditions surrounding Advent, as well as a load of history concerning its development. These matters would be better found in books than here. Here are a couple:
Lee A. Maxwell, The Altar Guild Manual, Lutheran Worship Edition (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House , 1996)
Lee A. Maxwell, The Altar Guild Manual, Lutheran Service Book Edition (St. Louis
Fred L. Precht, Lutheran Worship: History and Practice (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1992).
Epiphany is from a Greek word, meaning to "reveal" or "make manifest." The season of Epiphany is our time to focus on the revelation of "who" Jesus is: both true God and man.
Epiphany is season of light but is squeezed between Christmas and Lent. The message of this season ought to shine brightly for it teaches an important topic: the mission of the church. It progresses from bright star guiding the Magi to the shining dove at the Baptism of Jesus to the glory of the Transfiguration. The structure of the season proclaims the mission of God’s people.
The story of the Magi is that of distant people coming to Christ. The light draws the wise men from far off to worship Him. The Church calls people who are isolated from God to come. But the invitation is not to some idea or theory but to “God in man made manifest” (LSB 394). The Church’s mission is to call sinners to communion with the life-giving flesh of Christ.
The first Sunday after the Epiphany takes us to the waters of the Jordan. There John baptized Jesus, who numbers Himself among sinners. The bright dove, the Holy Spirit, points out Christ in the water. Outreach to the world and into the Church points to the same water. Those whom the mission calls to join Christ and His Church are called to the light of Christ in Baptism.
The remaining Sundays of Epiphany focus on the ministry of Jesus. He is the light of the world. He preaches. He prays. He heals those afflicted by Satan. In other words, He does mission work. The Church does also. Jesus also calls us the light of the world. The mission of the Church is like Jesus’ ministry: long and patient. The Church’s mission is not to simply bring in as many as we can through the front door. It is to keep shining the light of Christ through His word, season after season, so that those living in darkness may continue to see the great light.
The finale of the Epiphany season is the Transfiguration. God in flesh is at the center but now not Magi but the glorified saints of old and the trembling disciples surround Christ. The light that pointed to Jesus at His Baptism now shines through Him. This is the goal of the Church’s work: to bring people into God’s presence for eternity. The light of Transfiguration shows us how important the Church’s work really is. The mission of the Church is aimed at that divine joy.
The story of the Magi is that of distant people coming to Christ. The light draws the wise men from far off to worship Him. The Church calls people who are isolated from God to come. But the invitation is not to some idea or theory but to “God in man made manifest” (LSB 394). The Church’s mission is to call sinners to communion with the life-giving flesh of Christ.
The first Sunday after the Epiphany takes us to the waters of the Jordan. There John baptized Jesus, who numbers Himself among sinners. The bright dove, the Holy Spirit, points out Christ in the water. Outreach to the world and into the Church points to the same water. Those whom the mission calls to join Christ and His Church are called to the light of Christ in Baptism.
The remaining Sundays of Epiphany focus on the ministry of Jesus. He is the light of the world. He preaches. He prays. He heals those afflicted by Satan. In other words, He does mission work. The Church does also. Jesus also calls us the light of the world. The mission of the Church is like Jesus’ ministry: long and patient. The Church’s mission is not to simply bring in as many as we can through the front door. It is to keep shining the light of Christ through His word, season after season, so that those living in darkness may continue to see the great light.
The finale of the Epiphany season is the Transfiguration. God in flesh is at the center but now not Magi but the glorified saints of old and the trembling disciples surround Christ. The light that pointed to Jesus at His Baptism now shines through Him. This is the goal of the Church’s work: to bring people into God’s presence for eternity. The light of Transfiguration shows us how important the Church’s work really is. The mission of the Church is aimed at that divine joy.
Dates: Evening Prayer on January 5 through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
Colors: White and green
Epiphany begins with the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, which celebrates the visitation of the Magi to the infant Christ. The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “revealing.” It comes from the Greek word epiphaneia. Epiphany also marks the first time the Messiah was shared with those outside of Israel, the Gentiles.
When the Gentile Magi come to worship Jesus, they show that everyone now has access to God. Now all people, Jew and Gentile, can come to God’s temple and worship, because Jesus is the new temple: God in the flesh.
—Treasury of Daily Prayer, p. 9
(source: The Seasons of the Church Year).
The Sundays After Pentecost
The Church’s calendar turns toward the blessings of our God in the giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This season in the Church Year is marked for reflection and mission opportunity. As the Church enters into a long period of time where few large festivals are celebrated, members throughout the Church are able to focus on the missional efforts that our Lord commands of us as His children. Pentecost is a wonderful time in the life of the Church to be renewed with the saving message of Jesus Christ and His love for His Church.
All Saints' Sunday-"What Does This Mean?"
"There is more weeping at All Saints at our church than almost any other time of year, and yet the festival is dearly loved. The prayer above, the names, and the ringing of the bell, along with the hymns, are powerful and appropriate. So also weeping is appropriate. The Church Triumphant certainly contains many great and famous men and women who lived extraordinary lives and died with honor rather than deny Christ, but the Church Triumphant is also filled with quiet saints, some even known, loved and missed by us. Simply because they are not noticed much here does not mean that they are not noticed much in heaven or that we should go along with the crowd that does not know them. The fact that they matter to us, that there are specific persons in that number that we remember and are eager to see again, also matters to God. Thus we rejoice that, while we weep, every tear has been removed from their eyes. And we weep in joy as well that soon the tears will also be removed from our eyes." (Source: https://witness.lcms.org/2018/the-joy-of-weeping-at-all-saints/)
All Saints’ Day is the commemoration of the departed in the faith. We do not honour or worship the saints themselves, but rather give thanks to the Lord of the Church for the blessings He has brought us through their service and example. We must also remember the Scriptural usage of the term "saint": not a perfect person holy by their own merits, but rather a person made holy by redemption in Christ, that is, any believer.
As well, it is always fitting to remember the example of those who bravely contended for the faith, so we may be encouraged in our pilgrimage, and so we also remember those who have been to put to death because of their faith. Some have also referred to All Saints Day as the Church's Remembrance Day.
We also celebrate the faith of the multitude of "little saints" who by faithful Christian living in daily circumstances also made possible the preservation and extension of the Christian faith, especially those who have passed away since last All Saints Day:
· Frank Atchison
· Art Reinhardt
· George Walter
· Martha Atchison
· Scott Mitchell
· Lorraine Kendel
· Elvin Walter
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:13 ESV)
"There is more weeping at All Saints at our church than almost any other time of year, and yet the festival is dearly loved. The prayer above, the names, and the ringing of the bell, along with the hymns, are powerful and appropriate. So also weeping is appropriate. The Church Triumphant certainly contains many great and famous men and women who lived extraordinary lives and died with honor rather than deny Christ, but the Church Triumphant is also filled with quiet saints, some even known, loved and missed by us. Simply because they are not noticed much here does not mean that they are not noticed much in heaven or that we should go along with the crowd that does not know them. The fact that they matter to us, that there are specific persons in that number that we remember and are eager to see again, also matters to God. Thus we rejoice that, while we weep, every tear has been removed from their eyes. And we weep in joy as well that soon the tears will also be removed from our eyes." (Source: https://witness.lcms.org/2018/the-joy-of-weeping-at-all-saints/)
All Saints’ Day is the commemoration of the departed in the faith. We do not honour or worship the saints themselves, but rather give thanks to the Lord of the Church for the blessings He has brought us through their service and example. We must also remember the Scriptural usage of the term "saint": not a perfect person holy by their own merits, but rather a person made holy by redemption in Christ, that is, any believer.
As well, it is always fitting to remember the example of those who bravely contended for the faith, so we may be encouraged in our pilgrimage, and so we also remember those who have been to put to death because of their faith. Some have also referred to All Saints Day as the Church's Remembrance Day.
We also celebrate the faith of the multitude of "little saints" who by faithful Christian living in daily circumstances also made possible the preservation and extension of the Christian faith, especially those who have passed away since last All Saints Day:
· Frank Atchison
· Art Reinhardt
· George Walter
· Martha Atchison
· Scott Mitchell
· Lorraine Kendel
· Elvin Walter
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:13 ESV)
Reformation Sunday
An Explanation of Luther's Seal
Printed below is a letter from Dr. Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler-–July 8, 1530, explaining his seal:
"Grace and peace in Christ!
Honorable, kind, dear Sir and Friend! Since you ask whether my seal has come out correctly, I shall answer most amiably and tell you of those thoughts which now come to my mind about my seal as a symbol of my faith.
There is first to be a cross, black and placed in a heart, which should be of its natural color [red], so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us.
Even though it is a black cross, which mortifies and which also should hurt us, yet it leaves the heart in its natural color and does not ruin nature; that is, the cross does not kill but keeps man alive. For the just man lives by faith, but by faith in the Crucified One.
Such a heart is to be in the midst of a white rose, to symbolize that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace; in a word it places the believer into a white joyful rose; for this faith does not give peace and joy as the world gives and, therefore, the rose is to be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and of all the angels.
Such a rose is to be in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in the Spirit and in faith is a beginning of the future heavenly joy; it is already a part of faith, and is grasped through hope, even though not yet manifest.
And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that in heaven such blessedness lasts forever and has no end, and in addition is precious beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.
May Christ, our dear Lord, be with your spirit until the life to come."
VDMA: Motto of the Reformation
Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum (The Word of the Lord Endures Forever) is the motto of the Lutheran Reformation, a confident expression of the enduring power and authority of God’s Word. The motto is based on 1 Peter 1:24–25. It first appeared in the court of Frederick the Wise in 1522. He had it sewn onto the right sleeve of the court’s official clothing, which was worn by prince and servant alike. It was used by Frederick’s successors, his brother John the Steadfast, and his nephew John Frederick the Magnanimous. It became the official motto of the Smalcaldic League and was used on flags, banners, swords, and uniforms as a symbol of the unity of the Lutheran laity who struggled to defend their beliefs, communities, families, and lives against those who were intent on destroying them. It was found inscribed inside churches, over doorways, on foundation stones, even on horse’s helmets! The VDMA logo and statement has appeared throughout Lutheran churches worldwide and remains an enduring motto of the Reformation to this day.
Watch the Luther Movies!
What better way to celebrate and commemorate Reformation Day (October 31!) than to watch some movies about the reformation.
There are two movies that are directly about Martin Luther:
What better way to celebrate and commemorate Reformation Day (October 31!) than to watch some movies about the reformation.
There are two movies that are directly about Martin Luther:
- Martin Luther (1953). Some of you may have seen this back in the day. This is a black and white movie that is pretty "staid" . It is most definitely a 1953 production. You can learn more about this production by clicking here. To watch the movie (for free!) click here.
- Luther (2003). A more recent treatment. This is the movie on which we based our bible study. More information is here. You can watch it (for free!) by clicking here.
(Usually the end of November to Dec 24th).
Here's a great page to find some online devotional materials for you and your family for Advent. Just go here.
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Looking for ways you can celebrate Advent at home? Go here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is the history and significance of the Season of Advent, and what's the meaning of the Advent candles and wreath?
The word "advent" is from the Latin word for "coming," and as such, describes the "coming" of our Lord Jesus Christ into the flesh.
Advent begins the church year because the church year begins where Jesus' earthly life began--in the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation. After Advent comes Christmas, which is about his birth; then Epiphany, about his miracles and ministry; then Lent, about his Calvary-bound mission; then Easter, about his resurrection and the sending of the apostles; and then Ascension (40 days after Easter) and Pentecost, with the sending of the Holy Spirit.
The first half of the church year (approximately December through June) highlights the *life* of Christ.
The second half (approximately June through November) highlights the *teachings* of Christ.
The parables and miracles play a big part here. That's "the church year in a nutshell," and it should help reveal how Advent fits into "the big picture."
Advent specifically focuses on Christ's "coming," but Christ's coming manifests itself among us in three ways--past, present, and future. The readings which highlight Christ's coming in the past focus on the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation at
The traditional use of Advent candles (sometimes held in a wreath) originated in eastern
The concept of giving each candle a name, i.e., Prophecy,
There are many beautiful customs and traditions surrounding Advent, as well as a load of history concerning its development. These matters would be better found in books than here. Here are a couple:
Lee A. Maxwell, The Altar Guild Manual, Lutheran Worship Edition (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House , 1996)
Lee A. Maxwell, The Altar Guild Manual, Lutheran Service Book Edition (
Fred L. Precht, Lutheran Worship: History and Practice (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1992).
