Within the many Protestant traditions there are two events that are common to our faith. The first is Christmas which celebrates of the birth of Jesus Christ. As Protestants, we believe that Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully human born of the Virgin Mary by the power of God. The second, more important event is his death and resurrection, also known as Easter. Without the resurrection, Jesus would only have been a wise teacher or at best a prophet. But we believe that Jesus was the Son of God, died on the cross for us, and then was raised to life by the hand of God, the Father. These events have paved the way for anyone who believes to becoming reconciled to God through His Son.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

– John 3:16, New English Translation

	2019	2020	2021	2022
Lent	06 MAR-06APR	26 FEB-11APR	17FEB-03APR	02MAR-16APR
Palm Sunday	14 APR	05 APR	28 MAR	10 APR
Maundy Thursday	18 APR	09 APR	01 APR	14 APR
Good Friday	19 APR	10 APR	02 APR	15 APR
Easter	21 APR	12 APR	04 APR	17 APR
Advent Sunday	01 DEC	29 NOV	28 NOV	27 NOV
Christmas	25 DEC	25 DEC	25 DED	25 DEC

EASTER

Lent

When: Begins 40 days before Easter/Resurrection Sunday
Background: Lent was initially observed in the 4th century as a 40-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Self-examination and self-denial were hallmarks through fasting (abstaining from eating food) of the season as a sign of penitence and preparation for Christ. 
Impact to Mission: Those with a stricter observance of Lent may be fasting and therefore may need to develop a lighter PT plan especially when training in more extreme climates.

Palm Sunday

When: Sunday before Easter/Resurrection Sunday
Background: Christians observe Palm Sunday on the Sunday before Easter, celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The reason they call it Palm Sunday stems from the fact that when Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, a large crowd of people in the city spread out palm branches on the ground before him as a sign of his kingship. Throughout Jesus’ three-year ministry, he downplayed his role as Messiah and sometimes even told people whom he healed not to say anything about the miracle to others. Palm Sunday is the one exception in which his followers loudly proclaimed his glory to all.
Impact to Mission: None

Maundy Thursday

When: Thursday Before Easter/Resurrection Sunday
Background: Commonly celebrated amongst Liturgical traditions, Maundy Thursday commemorates the day Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and the command to do the same.  In the face of his death, Jesus emphasized mutual love and grace even in the face of his soon-to-be betrayer, Judas Iscariot. 
Impact on Mission: None

Good Friday

When: Friday before Easter/Resurrection Sunday
Background:  Good Friday commemorates the day Jesus was crucified on the cross for the sins of the world.  The cross is the convergence of the God’s wrath and God’s grace where sin was nailed to the cross and the way to forgiveness and reconciliation with God was paved by Christ’s sacrifice. 
Impact on Mission:  As this is the most holy season for Christians, every opportunity should be made to allow Soldiers to attend a worship service. 

Easter/Resurrection Sunday

When: First Sunday after the first full moon after March 21
Background: Easter is THE most important holy holiday of the Christian Church because it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  This is the source of hope for salvation for Christians.  Without the resurrection there is no Christianity. 
Impact on Mission:  As this is the most holy holiday for Christians, every opportunity should be made to allow Christian Soldiers to attend a worship service. 

Pentecost

When: 40 days after Easter/Resurrection Sunday
Background: Pentecost is a Jewish holiday held 50 days after Passover.  It commemorates the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit that fell upon the disciples in the upper room.  This is the promise and transition of the ministry of Christ given to the disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations.  This was further symbolized by the Disciples suddenly praying in tongues or languages that they did not formally know. 
Impact on Mission: None

CHRISTMAS

Advent

When: The period of time four Sundays before Christmas  
Background: Advent began in the early Church as a 40-day time of preparation and self-examination before Epiphany, a January holiday that observes the visit of the Magi to Jesus (by the Western, or Catholic and Protestant, Church) and the Baptism of Jesus (by the Eastern, or Orthodox, Church). During Advent, the Church welcomed new Christians into the Church to be baptized. Over the years, Advent was eventually tied to honoring Christ’s birth and anticipating his Second Coming.
Advent started off as a time of solemn preparation like Lent, but by the fourth century, the season had evolved into a more celebratory occasion in the Western Church. In contrast, the Orthodox Church has always tended to observe Advent in a more reflective, somber manner.
Impact on Mission: None

Christmas

When: December 25
Background: Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ.  The holiday is often celebrated with gift giving and time spent focused on family gatherings.  Charity is also encouraged during this time where people often assist at local soup kitchens and participate in toy drives. 
Impact on Mission:  Time will be given, based on mission, to celebrate this day for all Soldiers.