Feasts and Festivals in The Lutheran Church

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We must remember that the Lutheran Church grew out of a movement of reform which attempted to reclaim the links with ancient church. The feast and festivals which has been celebrated widely within Christianity were not challenged but merely, as our confessions state:

"Our churches teach that ceremonies ought to be observed that may be observed without sin. Also ceremonies and other practices that are profitable for tranquility and good order in the church (in particular, holy days, festivals, and the like ought to be observed. [Augsburg Confessions, Article XV]

There were those during the times of the reformation who argued for the removal of these ancient feasts, however, the Lutheran Church retained their use in order to maintain a bond of unity amongst beleivers.

The traditions of the Church Year thus are observed within the Lutheran Church, with particular atteion given to the Principal Festivals of Christmas, Eipihany, Ash Wendesday, Holy Week, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost.

Lesser Festivals were also retained,

however, the 'Great Masses' of Saints' dayss were abolished, instead holding these as commemorations (or in the case of those who walked with Jesus, lesser festivals) and examples to all belivers in the way to live goldy, disciplined, lives.

The ancient Church set out to mold the year around Jesus Christ with the purpose of showing the stages of his life. As we profess in the Apostle's Creed our belief in Christ's birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit to be with the Church in this time, the Church year leads us through this sacred history of our Lord.

I for one am glad of the principal festivals, the lesser festivals, and the commemorations too. Their place and purpose edify the faithful, reminding us of our Lord's journey though his life, death, resurrection, and ascension, and connect us with the Church of yesterday, and I pray the Church of tomorrow.