A Season to Grow

Have you noticed? Everything is green! Not just outside but in the church as well—the altar hangings, the priests' vestments, all a vibrant shade of green. That’s because we’ve entered Ordinary Time, the season of growth in the Church year. While the name Ordinary Time might sound uneventful, this long, green season in the Church’s calendar is anything but “ordinary.”

So what does “ordinary” refer to in this context? It doesn’t mean plain or unimportant. The word comes from the Latin ordinalis, meaning “numbered” or “in order.” These are the counted weeks of the Church year—First Sunday after Pentecost, Second Sunday, and so on—when we walk steadily through the life of faith (The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, 2022). The purpose of Ordinary Time is to order our lives to Christ’s. 

Image Source: https://www.saintsjamesandandrew.org/sermons/teaching-sermon-the-church-calendar-and-the-liturgical-year

During our Faith Formation classes, we often refer to Ordinary Time as “The Growing Season”.  Just as green is the color of life and hope, this season invites us to grow spiritually (Blais, 2021). Children learn about this when we explore the liturgical calendar together. We see that the life of the Church revolves around the life of Christ. This introduces the child to the concept that the Liturgy is structured or ordered and, like nature, follows a predictable path containing seasons and events (CGSUSA, 2023). ​

Why can't it always be Christmas?

I’ll admit--as a child, I thought Ordinary Time meant boring time. No Advent wreaths, no Easter flowers, no waving of palms or candlelit vigils. But over the (many) years I’ve come to appreciate that Ordinary Time isn’t about being dull—it’s about being steady. And in a world that’s constantly rushing toward the next big thing, there’s something beautiful about slowing down and growing quietly.

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This reminds me of our vegetable garden which we planted last month.  Just like a garden doesn't grow in a single day, our faith grows gradually—with sunlight, water, weeding, and care. It's a season of slow but steady transformation.

Ideas for Celebrating Ordinary Time

At Church:

• Notice the green: Point out the green altar hangings and vestments. Explain that green stands for growth, life, and hope.
• Reflect on the readings: During Ordinary Time, we hear stories of people like us—trying, stumbling, growing, and learning how to love God and one another.  You can access the weekly readings online here.
• Ask: “What part of the story stuck with you? How can we live that out this week?”

At Home:

• Tend a garden together: Even a small plant on a windowsill can become a spiritual practice. Talk  about how we grow in love, kindness, and faith with God’s help.
• Create a green paper chain: Add a link each week and write one way your family lived in love that week.
• Celebrate the ordinary: Point out small joys—a kind word, a shared snack, a quiet moment—and name them as holy.
• Read one Bible story a week: Pick a story about someone walking with God, and talk about how that person responded to God’s love. As a reminder, there are lots of beautiful books available to purchase in the Book Store at Calvary!

So even without elaborate decorations or big feast days, Ordinary Time is one of the most meaningful seasons we share. It teaches us that God meets us in the middle of real life—and that’s never boring.  Keep on Growing!

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Sources

All About the Atrium CGSUSA Parent Newsletter Ordinary Time. CGSUSA. (n.d.). https://www.cgsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/all-about-the-atrium-ordinary-time-.pdf 

Blais, Rev. H. (2021, December 5). Teaching sermon: The church calendar and the liturgical year. The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew. https://www.saintsjamesandandrew.org/sermons/teaching-sermon-the-church-calendar-and-the-liturgical-year 

What is ordinary time?The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. (2022, June 12). https://ecww.org/what-is-ordinary-time/