The Church of England in common with many other churches uses a Calendar of Seasons. With Christmas/Epiphany and Eastertide as the two main seasons of the church year, the calendar not only gives a rhythm to our Christian lives but also ensures that each year we are kept in rememberance of all the aspects of our redemption in Jesus.

We are now in the major season of Christmas/Epiphany. This season takes us though the events of God revealing his Messiah/Christ to the different groups who will play a part in the history of salvation. First on Christmas Day we remember the baby Jesus being revealed to the shepherds who were watching their flocks near Bethlehem. Later on the feast of the Epiphany, the Christ child is revealed to wise men from the East.

During this season we also have a number of major saints days. Some like Stephen (26 Dec) and John (27 Dec) annual events not related to the Christmas story. Others like Holy Innocents (28 Dec) and the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus (1 Jan) fit closely into the chronology of the Christmas season.

Every couple of years a church group spends a very enjoyable weekend at Wydale York Diocesan Centre. Please click here to view some photographs of one of the weekends.