Christmas, with the four-week preparation called Advent that precedes it, is the first major festival of the liturgical year in the church. These festivals commemorate the coming of Christ (both in His birth as suffering servant and His eventual return as King of Kings), which initiates the historical period prophesied in the Bible as "the Day of the Lord."

Palm Sunday is the Sunday at the start of the week called Holy Week in the Christian church year. It culminates in Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus' crucifixion, and Easter, which commemorates Jesus' resurrection. Palm Sunday recalls Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem when the crowds greeting him waved palm branches (John 12:13). In the Mediterranean world of Jesus' day palms symbolized triumph and victory.

Easter, also called Pascha, is the feast of Christ's resurrection, the central event in the Christian church year, for by God's grace, it is through Christ's death and resurrection that all who believe in Him are justified (made righteous), have peace with God, and gain eternal life. (Romans 4:24 - 5:2)

Pentecost commemorates the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon His church after Jesus' resurrection and ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit creates and maintains faith in Christ by the proclaimed Word of His Gospel, empowering us to serve God through the vocational gifts He gives to us.