For many, the Christian calendar is something they vaguely recognize from church services—a cycle of seasons that begins with Advent, peaks at Easter, and fades into the background during the rest of the year. However, what if these seasons weren’t just dates on a calendar? What if they were spiritual invitations, offering guidance for how we live, think, and pray every single day?
In A Journey of Faith and Reflection, Elisabeth Anne Frewin explores Christian seasons through poetry and prayer, offering reflections that stretch beyond the church pew. Her words remind us that the lessons of Advent, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost are not just for a particular time of year. They are daily practices—ways of seeing the world, trusting God, and living with faith.
Advent: The Beauty of Waiting in a World That Rushes
In a culture that prioritizes speed—instant results, fast solutions, quick success—waiting is often seen as a waste of time. However, Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, invites us to slow down and embrace anticipation. It teaches us that there is something sacred about waiting, preparing, and trusting that what is coming is worth the patience.
Elisabeth’s reflections on waiting are not filled with passive acceptance. Instead, they show an active kind of patience—one that trusts that God is at work, even when we cannot see it. She writes:
“I wait on Him forevermore.”
This is the essence of Advent—not just counting down to Christmas, but also learning to wait with hope in every part of our lives. Whether it is waiting for healing, for answers, or for a breakthrough, Advent reminds us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it does not match our own.
Lent: The Power of Reflection and Letting Go
Lent is often associated with sacrifice—giving up chocolate, coffee, or social media for forty days. However, at its core, Lent is about preparing the heart rather than simply denying the body. It is about examining what weighs us down spiritually and making space for God is transforming work.
Elisabeth’s poetry about Lent does not focus on external sacrifices. Instead, she speaks of inner renewal:
“Let us not bring disgrace or shame to your most glorious Name.”
Her words challenge us to go beyond surface-level commitments and reflect deeply on what truly separates us from God. Is it resentment? Fear? Distraction? Lent is not temporary change—it is about forming habits that bring us closer to God long after the season has ended.
Easter: Living Resurrection Daily
Easter is the celebration of Christ’s victory over death. It is joy, renewal, and the ultimate expression of hope. However, it is also a daily invitation.
We often think of resurrection as something that happened once, but Elisabeth reminds us that we are constantly being called to rise. To leave behind old ways of thinking, to heal from past wounds, to step into the fullness of what God has for us.
Her poem “His Touch” reflects on the power of Jesus to transform pain into peace, despair into hope. She writes:
“His hands, filled with mercy, lift me from sorrow.”
This is Easter—not just a celebration, but a way of life. Every day we are given the chance to walk in newness, to let go of what was and embrace what is possible.
Pentecost: Finding the Fire of Faith
Pentecost often is overlooked in comparison to Christmas and Easter, but its lesson is one we need every day—the lesson of empowerment. It reminds us that God does not leave us to navigate life alone. He gives us His Spirit to guide, strengthen, and inspire us.
Elisabeth’s writing on Pentecost is filled with imagery of fire—not just a consuming fire, but a refining one. She describes faith as something that must be continually fueled and tended to.
“The flame of grace, the Spirit’s power, the mercy of the Lord— These are gifts freely given, if we choose to receive.”
Pentecost asks us: Are we allowing God’s Spirit to lead us? Are we living boldly in our faith? It is a reminder that Christianity does not just about believe—it is about living with passion, courage, and conviction.
Why the Christian Calendar Matters Every Day
What Elisabeth’s reflections show us is that these seasons are not just historical traditions. They are spiritual rhythms that can shape our daily lives:
- Advent teaches us to wait with hope.
- Lent teaches us to reflect and release.
- Easter teaches us to live in resurrection.
- Pentecost teaches us to walk in the Spirit.
We do not have to wait for a specific time of year to embrace these lessons. They are always relevant. They guide us through change, through hardship, through uncertainty. They help us move closer to God—not just on Sundays, but every single day.
Living the Christian Seasons beyond the Calendar
So how can we take these lessons and apply them to everyday life?
Embrace Advent by practicing daily moments of stillness. Instead of rushing from one task to the next, take a few minutes each day to breathe, to reflect, and to trust in God’s perfect timing.
Live out Lent by identifying one thing to release. Maybe it is a habit, a worry, or a negative thought pattern. Let go of what weighs you down and make space for what lifts you up.
Celebrate Easter by choosing resurrection thinking. Each morning, ask yourself: What part of me is God calling to new life? A dream? A relationship? A calling you have been too afraid to pursue.
Honor Pentecost by leaning into the Spirit’s guidance. Instead of relying only on your own plans, take time to listen. Ask God where He is leading you—and be brave enough to follow.
A Calendar for the Soul
Elisabeth Anne Frewin’s A Journey of Faith and Reflection reminds us that the Christian seasons are more than just religious observances. They are invitations into a deeper, richer, intentional way of living.
We do not have to wait for the right time of year to embrace these lessons. We can start now. Because faith is not meant to be occasional. It is meant to be woven into everything.