I'm So Confused!

Well, it's Advent, and ...... wait, that's not right!  It's not Advent..... not even close.  We've just come out of Lent, and we haven't yet entered Pentecost, so that must mean that we're in the Easter Season.  But, aren't we finished with Easter?  I mean, that was weeks ago, wasn't it?  

As United Methodists, we follow a liturgical calendar.  That just means that at certain times of the year, we "celebrate" or "commemorate" or somethingate those events in the life of Jesus and the early church.  It's confusing to say the least.  Like, the first Sunday of the Christian calendar year begins with the first Sunday of Advent, usually in very late November or very early December.  Seems odd, doesn't it?  Yeah, I think so too.  The very last Sunday of the Christian calendar year, usually just before or after Thanksgiving, is a Sunday we call "Christ the King" Sunday, in which we somethingate Christ as the victor..... Christ as the king.  Then we start all over again the following Sunday with Advent..... you know, the Mary-Joseph-Baby Jesus stuff.

But wait...... that's not all.  After Advent, we have the Christmas Season (no, it does not end at Midnight on December 25!), the Epiphany season, the season of Lent, (which includes Holy Week), the season of Easter, and then Pentecost.  And, that's where we find ourselves today..... coming to a close of the Easter Season..... the "40-ish" days after Christ's resurrection.  So, what's next?  You'd just love for me to tell you, wouldn't you?  Well, instead of me telling you, how 'bout this?  Check out Acts chapter 2.  I'll set the stage.  Jesus has been resurrected.  Jesus has appeared to disciples, and others.  Jesus gives them instructions to "Sit!  Stay!", and Jesus ascends "toward heaven."  OK.  Now....GO! ... check out Acts chapter 2.  (Hint:  it's got a couple of descriptions..... "the coming of the Holy Spirit," and "The birth of the church.")  

This year, Sunday May 27 is Pentecost Sunday.  So, go and do your homework before then!  And then, come prepared to answer the question:  "Do we eat black eyed peas during Advent?"