See the graphic in Introduction to the Church Calendar.
Over the first six hundred years of Christian history, the Church arranged and developed a schedule for sacred remembrance and rhythm that we call the Christian calendar. The holy days* and seasons of the Christian calendar keep before us the story of our redemption and remind us of the next great event that is to come: the second advent of Christ. By observing these holy days and seasons we live our life in the continual telling of God’s story. We are reminded that the Holy One has entered and sanctified our time and space. The fasts and feasts of the year provide the spiritual direction and rhythms we need to orient our lives continually toward the eternal Sabbath. *Note: The term “holy day” has long been converted into the single word “holiday.” We should not view the word “holiday” as a perversion or derogatory term. “Happy holidays” is a simpler and easier way of saying “happy holy days.”
Some may be reluctant to observe days known to have been mixed with pagan superstitions (nearly every Christian holy day has been). First, we shouldn’t be surprised that unbelievers and spiritual enemies of Christ would attempt to subvert the Gospel and the retelling of the Gospel through these holy days. Second, we should not stop telling, celebrating, and commemorating the story of redemption because some have abused it (abusus non tollit usum). This guide is intended to help us maintain the historic Christian focus on Christ and the story of our redemption.
Finally, it should be noted that those of us in the Wesleyan tradition follow the Anglican tradition of John Wesley. This tradition—as Wesley knew it—observes seven principal feasts (Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity, and All Saints), four principal seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter), and two periods of “ordinary time” (after Epiphany and after Pentecost). Here we capitalize the seven principal
Feasts. Other feasts celebrated by some Christians appear here without capitalization.
December 1, 2024: The Season of Advent (purple)
Four Sundays before Christmas (never including Dec 25).
Advent means “coming” and is the season of preparation for the birth of Christ. During this season we long with the prophets for the coming Messiah. We recall the sorrows of Israel’s enslavement, the cycle of sin and judgment in the Old Testament, and the longing of the Old Testament saints for deliverance. Though Christ the Light has come, we still await amidst much sorrow the beatific vision. The writings of the prophets and psalms of lament are read. On weekdays, we remember the traditional themes of death, judgment, heaven, and hell. On Sundays, we celebrate the modern themes of faith, love, joy, and peace (in no particular order). Common symbols are the star of Bethlehem, the nativity, heralds, and evergreens.
December 25–January 5: The Feast of Christmas (white or gold)
Always December 25 through January 5.
Christmas is the first principal feast day of the Christian year. Christmas Day in the West is celebrated on December 25, the first day of the Christmas season. In the East, Christmas is often celebrated on the twelfth day of Christmas, January 5. Christmas is not a single day but a season of celebrating the nativity of our Savior. Encourage your congregation to let their Christmas celebration last all twelve days of the season. Since the first Sunday of January is always part of the Christmas season, it is fitting to continue singing Christmas songs and hymns.
January 6, 2025: The Feast of Epiphany (white or gold)
Always on January 6.
Epiphany means “appearance” and refers to the appearance of the eternal Son of God in human flesh. The feast of Epiphany is the second principal feast of the Christian year. It is the occasion on which we remember the search and the arrival of the Magi. This is a day for Christians to renew their resolve in bringing good gifts—especially our own selves—to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Even when all of the Christmas decorations have been put away, we retain the Star of Bethlehem. Some traditions recount the story of the Magi by hiding a Christ-child figurine in a King’s Cake. Children and adults break off pieces of the sweet pastry until someone finds the figurine. This symbolizes the Magi’s search for the Messiah.
January 12, 2025: The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (white or gold)
The first Sunday after January 6.
Although this is not one of the principal feast days, Christians traditionally celebrate the Lord’s baptism on the first Sunday of Epiphany. The baptism of the Lord is an essential part of the Gospel as it recounts the affirmation of the Son by the Father and the Spirit.
January 7–March 4, 2025: Ordinary Time (after Epiphany) (green)
Begins on the first ordinary day after January 6.
The Christian calendar contains two seasons called “ordinary time.” The first season is ordinary time after Epiphany. It begins on the first ordinary day after January 6. Usually this is January 7 unless that day is a holy day (as in 2024). During this season, we focus on the incarnate life of the Son. We read the Gospels, recounting the miracles and teachings of Jesus. We are challenged to be daily disciples of Christ.
There are several days of celebration for saints during this ordinary time:
- Jan 13: Hilary of Poitiers
- Jan 24: Francis de Sales
- Jan 28: Thomas Aquinas
- Feb 14: Cyril of Alexandria, Methodius, & Valentine
February 2, 2025: The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ (white or gold)
Always February 2, forty days after Christmas.
This day is also called Candlemas. Since the year 350, Christians in Jerusalem have celebrated the purification of Mary on this day. In 1979, the Episcopal Church in America regarded the presentation of Christ on this day as a feast day. Although it is not one of the principal feast days, Christ’s presentation in the Temple recalls the story of Luke 2 and the first affirmations that Christ is the promised Messiah.
March 2, 2025: The Feast of the Transfiguration (white or
gold)
Always the last Sunday of Ordinary Time (Epiphany).
Although this is not one of our traditional feast days, some traditions have observed it since the 9 th century (some place in August). It is an occasion for anticipating the glorification of Christ and, upon Christ’s second coming, the glorification of the Church.
March 5, 2025: Ash Wednesday (purple)
Forty-six days before Easter.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten season. It is so called because of the use of ashes on this day to symbolize penance, fasting, and prayer. Many Christians, including the Anglican tradition, will mark the forehead with ashes in the sign of the cross. Although Christians have used ash as a sign of penance from the beginning, following the Old Testament practice, widespread observance of Ash Wednesday came relatively late in Christian history, occurring in the tenth century. Many false theories circulate around the origin of this day. It is known that ash has also been used in pagan traditions in superstitious ways. Christian use of ash is based on the Old Testament practice of penance and fasting and should not be mistaken for any pagan superstition.
March 5–March 30, 2024: Season of Lent (purple)
Begins on Ash Wednesday.
The season of Lent or Lenten season is the third Christian season observed in the Christian calendar. This season is forty days of introspection, fasting, penance, and prayer. The forty days recall Israel’s forty years of wilderness wandering and our Savior’s forty days of fasting and trial in the wilderness. Note that Sundays are not counted in the days of Lent. During this season we remember the suffering of Christ and our sin. Symbols commonly used are the crucifix, a cross, a crown of thorns, and ashes.
Saint days during the Lenten season include:
- March 17: Patrick of Ireland
- March 18: Cyril of Jerusalem
- March 19: Joseph, husband of Mary
April 13, 2025: The Feast of the Lord’s Passion (Palm Sunday) (red)
Sunday before Easter.
This feast marks the beginning of Holy Week and recalls Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem. This marked the beginning of His Passion. His entry into Jerusalem is sometimes called the Triumphal Entry in anticipation of his victory of all spiritual powers. This day is also called Palm Sunday in recollection of the palm branches laid in his path of entry. Palm branches are commonly used in Christian gatherings.
April 16, 2025: Holy Wednesday (red)
Wednesday before Easter.
Holy Wednesday, or Spy Wednesday, commemorates the day of the betrayal of Christ by Judas. A Tenebrae service may be held.
April 17, 2025: Maundy Thursday (red)
Thursday before Easter.
“Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means “commandment.” It recalls Jesus’ words, “I give you a new commandment,” in John 13:31-35. Maundy Thursday recalls the Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet and gathering for the last supper. Foot washing may be observed on this day.
April 18, 2025: Good Friday (red or black)
Friday before Easter.
Good Friday is a day of irony. Although it is a day of lament and quiet reflection upon our Savior’s death for our sin, it is also “good” because we do not sorrow as people without hope. We often recount the “seven sayings” of Christ from the cross. A Tenebrae service may be held. The cross, a crown of thorns, a black veil, a tomb, and nails are common symbols.
April 19, 2025: Holy Saturday (red)
Saturday before Easter.
Holy Saturday remembers our Savior’s burial and descent to the dead. On this day we remember that we need not fear to go where Christ has been, for there is no place left untouched by our Savior. Scriptures on the descent of Christ include the Gospel accounts of Christ’s burial, Peter’s description of the descent in 1 Peter 3:18-20 and 4:1-6, Psalm 31, Lamentations 3, and Job 14. This day marks the end of the Lenten season.
April 20, 2025: The Feast of the Lord’s Resurrection (white)
The first Sunday after the first full moon following the
Spring equinox.
The Feast of the Lord’s Resurrection is also called Easter, Resurrection Sunday, and Passover. This is the most widely celebrated feast day by Christians around the world. In a sense, every Sunday of the year is a celebration of the risen Christ. The old English word Easter means “east” in reference to the dawning light of the sun. For the Church, Easter is the dawning of the Son of God. The Feast of Easter begins fifty days of celebration of the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Sunrise services and baptisms are commonly practiced on Easter morning. An open tomb, a cross draped with white, and a gold crown are often used as symbols of Easter. Baptismal candidates don white robes.
April 20 – June 7, 2025: Season of Easter (white or gold)
Fifty days from Easter Day to Pentecost Day.
The season of Easter is a continued celebration of the resurrection of Jesus for fifty days. This is the final season of the Christian calendar.
Saint days include:
- May 2: Athanasius of Alexandria
- May 3: Apostles Philip and James
- May 13: Apostle Matthias
- May 27: Augustine of Hippo
May 29, 2025: The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
(white)
Forty days after Easter and always on a Thursday.
Although this holy day always takes place on Thursday, it should be celebrated in our Christian gatherings, usually on the following Sunday. The ascension of Christ means that Christ seated at the right hand of the Father, with all things under His feet, and the coming Spirit is imminent.
June 8, 2025: The Feast of Pentecost (red)
The seventh Sunday after Easter, or the 50 th day of Easter.
Pentecost, or Whit Sunday, is the fifth principal feast on the Christian calendar. The word Pentecost means “feast of fifty days” or Feast of Weeks. In Israel, the Feast of Weeks was a pilgrimage festival (Exodus 34:22-23) in which the people brought their first fruits to the Lord. This celebration was happening when the disciples had gathered in Jerusalem to await the promise of the Father. The Holy Spirit was poured on Pentecost, the fiftieth and final day of the Feast. On the same day, Peter preached to the masses of pilgrims as they prepared to return to their homes. On Pentecost Sunday, Christians celebrate the Holy Spirit who has been given to us, purifying us, and empowering us as witnesses of Jesus Christ. The symbols of fire, a dove, a red cloth draping the cross, a burning bush, wind, water, a cloud, and oil have been used to mark this occasion.
June 15, 2025: The Feast of Trinity Sunday (white)
Sunday after Pentecost.
The sixth principal feast of the Christian year is Trinity Sunday. Although it was established quite late—the 14th century—it has long been observed by Anglicans and Wesleyans. This day reminds us of the Triune nature of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The God who is Trinity is a God of eternal, self-giving love.
June 16–November 29, 2025: Ordinary Time (after Pentecost) (green)
Begins the day after Pentecost and ends the day before Advent.
This second season of ordinary time is the lengthiest season in the Christian year. The season is a celebration of the Church of Christ. Although “saint days” are spread throughout the year, there are many notable ones that occur during this season, including the seventh and final Feast of All Saints’ Day.
- June 11: Barnabas
- June 24: John the Baptist
- June 28: Irenaeus
- June 29: Apostles Peter and Paul
- July 3: Apostle Thomas
- July 11: Benedict
- July 15: Bonaventure
- July 22: Mary Magdalene
- July 25: Apostle James
- August 15: The Virgin Mary
- August 20: Bernard of Clairvaux
- August 24: Apostle Bartholomew
- August 28: Augustine of Hippo
- Sept 3: Gregory the Great
- Sept 13: John Chrysostom
- Sept 15: Cyprian of Carthage
- Sept 21: Apostle Matthew
- Sept 30: Jerome
- Oct 4: Francis of Assisi
- Oct 6: William Tyndale
- Oct 17: Ignatius of Antioch
- Oct 18: Luke the Evangelist
- Oct 28: Apostles Simon and Jude
- Oct 31: Martin Luther (Reformation Day)
- Nov 1: Feast of All Saints’ Day
- Nov 23: Clement of Alexandria
- Nov 30: Apostle Andrew
