Affirms
Christmas and Easter observed; liturgical calendar increasingly followed
Disciples observe Christmas and Easter as major Christian holidays, with special worship services and a strong communion focus on Easter Sunday. The denomination has increasingly incorporated the broader liturgical calendar — Advent, Lent, and the liturgical seasons — into its worship life, reflecting its ecumenical engagement and the influence of Common Lectionary use.
This represents a significant evolution from the Restoration Movement's original wariness of the church calendar as an addition to Scripture. Contemporary Disciples see the liturgical year as a valuable resource for shaping Christian formation and maintaining connection to the whole church across time.
Key Distinctions
- Christmas easter observed:
- observed — Christmas and Easter are core celebrations of the Christian calendar
- Biblical feasts observed:
- not formally observed; OT feasts are fulfilled in Christ
- Rationale:
- historical events of the Incarnation and Resurrection are celebrated liturgically
Scripture References
Sources
- Disciples of Christ, Design of the Christian Church (1968)
- Chalice Worship (Disciples liturgical resource)