A Christmas icon next to an Easter icon. The artist reminds us that in both stories Jesus is wrapped in bands of cloth, laid in stone (manger and tomb), visited, brought myrrh, and announced by angels.

The most beloved Christian holy-days are both days and seasons.

CHRISTMAS
We celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day and for a season of 12 days leading to Epiphany when we remember the wise ones following the star and finding the infant Jesus. Their arrival reveals the truth that Jesus is Lord and Messiah for all people in every place.

• The stories of the Christmas season include:
  • Jesus’ birth (Matthew 1, Luke 2)
  • The angels announce the birth to the shepherds (Luke 2)
  • The shepherds visit the infant Jesus and then spread the good news of the Messiah’s birth (Luke 2)
  • Jesus’ circumcision and naming (Luke 2)
  • The prophets Simeon and Anna meeting Jesus and his family in the temple (Luke 2)
  • The wise ones seeing the star and traveling to Herod and then to Jesus and his family (Matthew 2)
  • Herod murdering the children of the region in hopes of killing the newborn King of the Jews (Matthew 2)
  • Mary/Joseph/Jesus escaping to Egypt (Matthew 2)
  • Mary/Joseph/Jesus returning from Egypt and settling in Nazareth (Matthew 2, Luke 2)

Click here for a detailed chronology of the events between Jesus’ birth and his family settling in Nazareth.

EASTER
We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on Easter and for a season of 50 days leading to Pentecost when we remember the first followers receiving the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to carry on Jesus’ witness and work throughout the world. Again, Jesus is Lord and Messiah for all people in every place.

• The stories of the Easter season include:
  • Mary, with other women, visits Jesus’ tomb. Jesus’ body is missing. She/They run to tell the disciples, two of which come to investigate and then leave.
  • Heavenly messengers announce the resurrection of Jesus to Mary and the women.
  • Mary encounters Jesus risen from the dead and runs to tell the disciples Jesus is alive.
  • Later on Easter, the Risen Christ appears to two disciples as they are traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus. After realizing it’s Jesus, they return to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples.
  • Even later on Easter, Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room. He reveals his wounds and breathes the Holy Spirit upon them. Thomas isn’t present and doubts the disciples’ story.
  • The Jewish leaders make up a story to explain why Jesus’ body is missing
  • A week later, Jesus appears to the disciples again, this time with Thomas present. Thomas believes.
  • Jesus appears to Peter and other disciples as they are fishing in Galilee. Jesus restores Peter to a place of leadership amongst his followers.
  • Jesus appears to the disciples on a mountain in Galilee
  • Jesus appears to his half-brother James.
  • In Bethany, Jesus instructs the disciples to continue his witness and work to all people and to return to Jerusalem to pray for the Holy Spirit.
  • Jesus ascends into heaven.
  • The disciples pray and on the 10th day the Holy Spirit comes in great displays of power at Pentecost. Peter preaches and over 3000 persons place their trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Timeline by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell. Check out her article here.