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The Church Year: Thematic Structure for Advent-Christmas-Epiphany

© John L. Hoh, Jr. and Rev. James Sonnemann

When the Reformation begun by Martin Luther was in full swing, decisions were made. Luther weighed each tradition and each doctrine and each teaching the Church had held for centuries. Some items, which contradicted Scripture (such as indulgences, adoration of saints and their relics, etc.) were cast aside.

But for the most part Luther left things alone, focusing more on theology and asserting that we are saved by "faith alone." Whether or not a church had artwork or statues or observed fasts had no bearing unless these items became a "good work" one did for salvation rather than a remembrance of our Redemption.

One area Luther retained was the Church year and the cycle of readings used in the church and read to the congregants. In this cycle, repeating every one, two, or three years (depending upon which pericope one uses), Luther found a consistency and a repetition that reiterated the truths of Scripture and reinforced the fact we are saved by grace, not of works. Luther also saw a progression of themes as each Sunday's readings built upon the previous weeks readings. Without the pericope, a preacher could preach on pet topics. With the pericope, the preacher preaches the whole counsel of God over a year's time.

Rev. James Sonnemann saw in the Advent readings of this past Fall a theme of signs of the Messiah. The signs on the Sundays looked at the suddenness of Christ's coming (Mark 13), the Messenger to Prepare the Way (Isaiah 40), one anointed to preach Good News (Gospel; Isaiah 61), and the Messiah would occupy the throne of David (2 Samuel 7). Rev. Sonnemann added signs for the Wednesday evening mid-week Advent services, the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, New Year's Eve Service, as well as the Sunday after Christmas and Epiphany Sunday.

From Epiphany Sunday Rev. Sonnemann focused on the star that guided the Wise Men. He then used that image of the star to incorporate the Epiphany lessons in the following weeks. In these readings Rev. Sonnemann focused on the star that guided the Wise Men. He then used that image of the star to incorporate the Epiphany lessons in the following weeks. In these readings Rev. bvSonnemann focused on the star that guided the Wise Men. In these readings Rev. Sonnemann found themes related to the Christian life, a life led by the star that led the Wise Men to Bethlehem.

The copyright of the article The Church Year: Thematic Structure for Advent-Christmas-Epiphany in Lutheranism is owned by John L. Hoh, Jr. and Rev. James Sonnemann. Permission to republish The Church Year: Thematic Structure for Advent-Christmas-Epiphany in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.