The End of Christmastide

Popular culture makes January out to be the month that never ends; the month following the celebrations of Christmas and New Year that leave us feeling blue and skint. But did you know that all throughout January some Catholics have still been enjoying the joyful season of Christmastide?!

While some Catholics follow the tradition of taking down their decorations on the 12th Day of Christmas (6th January – the Feast of the Epiphany), others would keep some of their decorations – particularly their crib scene – up until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which follows in the week after. But some Catholics even keep the celebrations going until Candlemas on February 2nd, which marks the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord!

The Liturgical Season of Lent

After the end of Christmastide, we enter a few weeks of Ordinary Time before beginning the season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday (22 February 2023) and ends on Maundy Thursday (6 April 2023), the day before Good Friday.

Ten Ten’s Theme for Lent 2023

In our Collective Worship resources each year, we choose a different theme to help bring focus to schools’ preparations. Our theme this year is ‘Jesus, Be The Centre’, inspired by Michael Frye’s song of the same name (Vineyard Worship). Each week’s assembly takes a title from the song’s lyrics as the focus which helps lead children deeper into their relationship with God.

To help children to put Jesus at the centre of their lives and Lenten journey, this year we are describing the three pillars of Lent using British Sign Language for GIVE, ACT, and PRAY. Children will also learn signs to use as they sing the theme song ‘Jesus, Be the Centre’. To help get you in the mood for Lent, why not play ‘Jesus, Be The Centre’ from our brand new Spotify playlist!

What’s After Lent?

Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified,  is called ‘Good’, because it’s not the end! After Good Friday comes Easter Sunday and 40 days of Eastertide to celebrate His Resurrection!

Watch this space over the coming months to find out our plans for Eastertide Collective Worship resources.