Presbyterian Church (usa)

Presbyterians have been gradually recovering the Christian year and most congregations now observe at least Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Observance frequently takes the form of family-centered activities, study programs, and a wide variety of artistic and cultural expression. In the tradition of John Calvin, today's Presbyterians honor the weekly celebration of the resurrection of our Lord as the greatest of Christian festivals. For centuries, on the other hand, they have frowned on Christmas, Easter, and other traditional church festivals because of possible pagan origins. Slowly, we have begun recovering the Christian year. One probably can safely say that every Presbyterian congregation keeps Christmas and Easter. (It remains true, however, that in many congregations the decision to place a Christmas tree in the sanctuary will create controversy. ) Most of Presbyterian congregations further observe Advent and Lent as seasons of intentional spiritual preparation for the ma…