The rhythm of church seasons
Jesus himself practiced spiritual exercises
This phrase may be familiar! In the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 begins: “To everything there is a season and the time for every matter under heaven”.
Living in the south, I know the year's seasons. Creation naturally teaches a rhythm throughout the year, especially in this part of the country. Some seasons arrive with an intense and more determined sense of preparation. In spring, we witness preparation and care as new life appears. In the fall, with a feeling of gratitude, there is vigilance as fields are harvested and all of creation begins to transition for winter. Winter and summer have their own rhythm and the pace is often more reflective.
Much like the descriptions of nature's rhythm, there are rhythms in the seasons of the Christian Calendar. They include (but are not exclusive to) Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. Some rise in their intensity and others offer a time to be more reflective. These liturgical seasons (derived from the word - liturgy; ‘the work of the people’) weave their way throughout the Christian year with diverse intentions, rituals, and practices (or as we would say – spiritual exercises).