Part 1: The Call to Focus on Love
In the book of Galatians, Paul addresses a concern that is as relevant today as it was in the first century: the temptation to get caught up in external rituals and religious observances at the expense of what truly matters. In Galatians 4:17, Paul warns the believers about false teachers who are eager to win their favor but have ulterior motives. These false teachers were promoting adherence to certain religious practices, urging the Galatians to conform to specific calendars and festivals. But Paul, ever the pastor, cautions them not to be ensnared by these external trappings.
Paul’s warning is profound because it cuts to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. He is essentially saying, “Do not be tied to the liturgical calendar. Do not be bound by the festival calendar. These are things of this world, and they can distract you from what really matters.” The world around the Galatians was filled with various calendars, each marking religious festivals and observances. This was not unique to the Jewish people; pagans had their own religious festivals too. The temptation to conform to these practices was strong, as it provided a sense of belonging and religious identity.
But Paul challenges this mindset. He is not dismissing the importance of communal worship or the value of remembering significant events. Rather, he is warning against the danger of allowing these practices to become the focal point of one’s faith. The liturgical and festival calendars, whether Jewish or pagan, were not the problem per se. The issue was that they could become distractions, drawing believers away from the core of the Gospel: love.
Paul’s message is clear: do not get caught up in all that extra stuff. The false teachers were trying to shift the Galatians’ focus from the simplicity of the Gospel to the complexities of religious observance. They wanted to shut the believers off from Paul, and more importantly, from the true freedom that comes in Christ. By focusing on external practices, the Galatians risked losing sight of the most important commandment—to love one another.
This message resonates with us today. In our own religious contexts, it is easy to get caught up in the rituals, traditions, and calendars that shape our worship. While these practices can be meaningful and edifying, they should never replace the central call to love God and love our neighbors. Our faith is not measured by how well we keep a liturgical schedule, but by how deeply we embody the love of Christ in our daily lives.
Paul’s exhortation is a reminder to keep the main thing the main thing. Let us not be distracted by the noise of religious observance, but instead, focus on what truly matters: loving one another as Christ has loved us. In doing so, we will fulfill the law of Christ and live out the freedom that Paul so passionately defends in his letter to the Galatians.
Part 2: A Brief History of the Christian Liturgical Calendars
While Paul’s warning in Galatians is clear, it’s important to understand the context and evolution of Christian liturgical calendars to grasp how they came to be and how they are used today.
The Christian liturgical calendar, which marks the various seasons and festivals observed by many Christian denominations, has its roots in the early church. The earliest Christians, who were predominantly Jewish, naturally observed Jewish festivals and the Sabbath. However, as Christianity spread and began to establish its own identity apart from Judaism, distinct Christian observances began to emerge.
One of the first and most significant Christian celebrations was Easter, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The exact date of Easter was a matter of some debate in the early church, leading to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which sought to standardize the date. Easter eventually became the cornerstone of the Christian liturgical year, with other significant events, such as Lent (a period of fasting and penance leading up to Easter) and Pentecost (celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit), being established around it.
As Christianity became more institutionalized, particularly after the Roman Emperor Constantine legalized it in 313 AD, the development of a structured liturgical calendar accelerated. By the medieval period, the Christian year was marked by several major seasons: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, along with numerous saints’ days and feasts. These seasons were designed to guide the worship life of the church, helping believers to remember and celebrate the key events in the life of Christ and the early church.
However, it is crucial to recognize that the liturgical calendar, while valuable for structuring communal worship and spiritual reflection, is not an end in itself. Paul’s caution to the Galatians serves as a reminder that these observances are tools, not the essence of our faith. The purpose of the liturgical calendar is to draw us closer to Christ and to one another, not to become a source of legalism or division.
Throughout history, different Christian traditions have adapted and emphasized various aspects of the liturgical calendar. For example, the Reformation in the 16th century led some Protestant denominations to simplify or even reject parts of the traditional liturgical calendar, seeing it as too closely tied to what they viewed as the excesses of the medieval church. Yet, many Protestant churches still observe key seasons like Advent and Lent, recognizing their value in fostering spiritual growth.
In the modern era, the liturgical calendar continues to play a significant role in many Christian communities, providing rhythm and structure to the worship life of the church. However, Paul’s words in Galatians remind us that while these observances can be meaningful, they must never overshadow the core of the Gospel: love. Whether we follow a detailed liturgical calendar or not, the focus should always remain on loving God and loving our neighbors, as this is the true fulfillment of the law of Christ.
In conclusion, understanding the history of the Christian liturgical calendars can deepen our appreciation for these traditions, but it also underscores the importance of keeping them in their proper place. They are valuable aids in our spiritual journey, but they should never become the focal point of our faith. Instead, let us heed Paul’s advice and focus on what truly matters—loving one another as Christ has loved us.
Learn more with my online course “Galatians: An Adventure in Missing the Point”