Happy New Year!
November 27th marked the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new year in Christ. So…Happy New Year!
For centuries, by following the liturgical Christian calendar, Christians have intentionally meditated on the life of Christ; we stand in awe at the manger, listen intently to the hillside teaching, grieve at the cross, and then, celebrate together as witnesses to the resurrection.
Even in the midst of “ordinary time” within the Christian Calendar (the weeks in-between the more well known celebrations) we are challenged to inspect our lives in the light of the returning King.
For much of my life I was unaware of the meaning and significance of words such as lectionary, liturgy, lent, advent, formation. Perhaps I was unaware because although many churches celebrate the common cultural days (Valentines, July 4th, Mother’s Day, etc.) they often ignore the spiritual formation and intentional discipleship present within the liturgy of the Christian Calendar.
Today, I am becoming more convinced of the necessity for a common liturgy within faith communities. It offers both a connection to the past and a platform for the prophetic future. It leads us to organize our lives not just around kronos time (calendars, seasons, clocks, dates) but around kairos time (God’s timing…or the fullness of time). It creates common language and prayers. It opens our lives up to the work of the Spirit of God. And by continually reminding us of our place in God’s story, it calls us into anticipation of the rule of God over all creation.
Your thoughts?
Excellent thoughts. Bind us together Lord
I couldn’t agree more. Here are some of my thoughts on the lectionary http://discipleshipremix.com/?p=1265
Also, your comments on the formational power of following a common liturgy brought to mind the issue of evangelism/discipleship. One thing that the church in North America, particularly the evangelical stream, is still struggling with in our understanding of evangelism/discipleship is that we don’t just have a “message” of good news. The historic liturgical practices (also read counter-formational practices) of the church awaken in us a vision of how our lives can reflect the message of Jesus the Messiah. Or in the words of Dean Blevins, discipleship is our participation in the means of grace in order to become a means of grace for God.
Couldn’t have said it better myself! Orienting ourselves around the Church year keeps us focused on the centrality of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I myself too often wander off into other things. I agree that a common liturgy helps also to unite us as a larger body of believers.