A Sojourner's Quest

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A Magnificent Obsession: To Rehearse and Reenact the Life and Ministry of Jesus in the City As to its logic, the Church Year follows the order of events outlined in the Gospels and Acts, the same events which are explained in the Epistles and prophesied in the Apocalypse. The Christian Calendar begins with the birth of Christ ( Advent and Christmas ), and then focuses on God’s revelation in Christ as a central element in his messianic mission to the world ( Epiphany , his Baptism and Transfiguration ). It then concentrates on the glory of his incarnation in humility and service shown in his miracles, exorcisms, and teaching, and lays out the journey of Jesus as he set his face toward Jerusalem and the Cross ( Ash Wednesday and Lent ). The Story solemnly chronicles his final week, with his glorious entry as King into Jerusalem, his opposition and sham trial, his suffering and crucifixion, and his death at Calvary ( Holy Week ). With unusual joy and rejoicing, it beckons us to affirm with our whole hearts that the Nazarene is no longer dead, but rose on the third day, and appeared for forty days to his disciples ( Easter ). After proving himself alive to his own, he ascended in power and glory to the Father’s right hand where he is worshiped by angels and crowned as Lord and Christ, Head of the Church and Lord of the Harvest ( Ascension Day ). This majestic exaltation is according to the will of the Father, the faith- ful ministry of the Son and the power of the Holy Spirit, who comes fifty days after our Lord rose from the dead ( Pentecost and Trinity Sunday ). During the Season after Pentecost, we exalt Christ as Head of the Church as we are going and making disciples of all nations, gathering his harvest, and awaiting his return in eager expectation. As the Church Year ends, we recall Christ’s faithfulness to his Church, to that entire communion of saints who have bled and suffered and died through the history of his Church for his name’s sake ( All Saints Day ). At the last week, we finally extol him for our blessed Hope, the promise of his soon return where Christ will put down evil once-for-all and will reign supreme as Lord and King over all ( Reign of Christ the King ). Thus, the Season of Advent both ends the cycle and begins it again. It looks forward to his Second Coming as the conclusion of the Church Year but also prepares us to recall and remember again his First Coming and thus starts the Church Year afresh. And so the cycle continues, the rhythm resounds, and the beat of God goes on.