14 Ideas for Living the Christian Year at Home

Elsie Gibbs, in her 1939, hymn, “Christ’s Year” likens the observance of the Christian Year to a,

“wreath of praise, plaited of our Christian days.”

The Church Calendar, also called the Christian Year and the Liturgical Calendar, is a delightful way can connect our lives to the colorfully textured tapestry of devotions observed by God’s people for over 2000 years.  

The Christian Year Can Spark the Flame of our Faith

The seasons of the Christian year can ignite our spiritual lives if we take them home with us and not leave them on the Sunday pew. The Christian year observed regularly, not perfectly, can be used by the Spirit in igniting and sustaining the flames our faith. One of the best ways we can spark faith in the children in our lives is by observing the year with them. Try and see!

(Sorry to interrupt, I received a complaint from a Fire Station near Auckland, New Zealand. Please understand readers, I mean sparking and igniting our lives spiritually not literally. 🔥)

Fr. William Syndor, an Episcopal priest, offers some wise words in his book, Keeping the Christian Year. Regarding home observances he says they:

“must never be a meaningless activity in which everyone must participate, or a new regulation to be imposed. Christian Year observances are meant to be enjoyed, not endured.”

Each season has its own rich liturgical spirituality, traditions, and customs, but here are 14 ideas for observing the Christian year to get you started:

Advent

The beginning of the Christian year. A time for preparing for Christ’s coming.

1. Host a New Year’s Eve party on the evening before the first Sunday of Advent. A fun  activity for those in attendance would be to create Advent Wreaths.

2. Eat your evening meals by candlelight (perhaps by your wreath) for the whole season as a reminder that the world was waiting in darkness for the Light of Christ to be revealed. 🕯🕯🕯🕯

Christmastide

The celebration of God come among us, Emmanuel.

3. Earlier in Advent, set up a creche, but have Mary and Joseph “travel” to Bethlehem through your home, not arriving until Christmas Eve or Day. Place the baby Jesus in the crib after your attendance at Christmas worship at your local church.

4. Sing a Christmas carol on each of the twelve days of Christmas after the main meal of the day. Hold off on Christmas music during Advent but enjoy it during the 12 days.

Epiphany

The celebration of Christ’s manifestation to all peoples.  

5. Keep your Christmas decorations up through this feast and mark it by singing “We Three Kings of Orient Are”. The three Kings can “travel” through the home during the twelve days of Christmas, arriving this day.

6. Invite your pastor over to bless your home. Include a group of friends and or family. Share food and fun, call it an Epiphany Party.

Lent

A forty-day period of repentance and self-examination in preparation for Easter.

7. Commit to taking something on and giving something up. For example, taking on the practice of daily Scripture reading and giving up meat on Wednesdays and/or Fridays. 🐟

8. As an individual, family, or group of friends, volunteer to serve the poor.

Holy Week

9. Observe the Triduum,  (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday)  by reading aloud the primary Scriptural passages appointed for the day followed by a silent meal or period of silence for somber reflection. You could do this morning or evening.  

Eastertide

10. Host a meal or party with friends and or family. It need not be elaborate but is an opportunity to celebrate the Resurrection with good food and good friends. Begin with prayer and each person reflecting briefly on their Lenten and Easter Sunday experience.

11. Eastertide lasts for fifty days, walk in the power of the Resurrection by scheduling more time for celebration and fun with friends and family.

Ordinary Time  

The longest season of the Christian year

12. Add at least one devotional reminder to your home.

A physical reminder of your faith is important, because as the old saying goes “out of sight, out of mind.” Different Christians denominations and traditions use different devotional objects for domestic use. Here are some examples:

A Bible prominently displayed, a prayer book on your nightstand, a cross above your bed, Scripture verses displayed in the living room, one or more icons of beloved saints, a crucifix on the wall,  a signed and autographed picture of me, a home altar, a statue of saint, a book of devotions in your workshop, or a hymnal on your piano. 🎹

(Yes, that was a joke about my picture, just making sure you are reading carefully. To receive your autographed picture send your check to….just kidding! I would never stoop to supporting my ministry by autographing pictures for checks. For cash, yes. Again, just kidding!!!)

13. Display a devotional object in your car and workplace. At work it may have to be small or kept out of sight (e.g. in your desk) but will still be a reminder of God’s presence and your call to follow Jesus wherever you may be. Similar advice could be given about worn or carried objections of devotion (e.g. crosses, rings, prayer cards, t-shirts, snakes, etc.) 🐍

14. Snakes Day. Saints Day are great opportunities for observance. For example, offering special prayers of thanks for your pets (e.g. snakes) on St. Francis of Assisi’s Day (October 4) or having an after-dinner music concert with family and friends at home on St. Cecilia’s Day (11/22).

The Christian Year: A First Step For Bringing the Faith Home

The simplest way to bring the faith home is to pray at home. The easiest way for most individuals or families to begin to do this is by prayers of thanksgiving at meals and before bedtime. When first introduced prayer may feel odd, but over time will become a normal part of home life. Couples can develop the habit of praying together for each other daily.

There are warehouses of activities and customs for the Christian year.  An internet search, resources from your local church, as well as asking your Christian friends will reveal creativity as well as simple faithfulness in observance. Do not wait to get all fancy, just begin to incorporate this “wreath of praise” into your daily life in simple ways, you and others will be blessed.

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