Hi friends,
Have you heard of the TikTok trend called October Theory? It encourages people to leverage the month of October as a time to reflect, reset, and set new goals before the year ends.
As best I can tell, Chloe Van Berkel created the most viral explanation:
She describes October as “the second New Year." In other words, take this month to finish the year strong: evaluate the year so far, make necessary changes, and go for it with relationships and the end-of-year busyness.
I think it’s an awesome trend - I’m here for it! It’s a great idea.
And, at the same time… “October Theory” reminded me that Christians already have a more profound, meaningful practice available to order our lives: the liturgical calendar.
It’s an increasingly unfamiliar concept, but it’s stood the test of time.
For instance, by the fourth century, the church observed Lent to prepare for Easter. By the fifth century, Advent became a season to anticipate Jesus’ coming, and Pentecost marked the end of Easter’s fifty days.
Today, the liturgical year includes six distinct seasons:
- Advent: Four weeks of preparation, celebrating Jesus’ first coming and anticipating his return.
- Christmas: A joyful season celebrating the Incarnation.
- Lent: Six weeks of reflection and repentance before Easter.
- Three Holy Days: Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday—marking Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.
- Easter: Fifty days celebrating Christ’s resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Ordinary Time: Two periods focusing on Jesus’ teachings, one after Christmas and one after Easter.
Interestingly, this practice builds on the rhythms God established for Israel.
As Encyclopedia Britannica explains, “The Jewish religious year, grounded in the divinely revealed Law of the Hebrew Bible, was the foundation for the church year of Christians.” (For a deeper dive, check out my interview with Dr. Michael LeFebvre about his book, The Liturgy of Creation!)
For millennia, God has invited His people to set aside time for worship, reflection, and renewal.
In short, the liturgical calendar—rooted in Scripture and tradition—invites us to participate in God’s story throughout the year.
Instead of seeing January or October or, for that matter, March as a time to improve ourselves and optimize our lives, it invites us to see every day and every season as sacred.
October Theory is a great idea! There’s no need to be a killjoy. But still… as Christians, we have a more fulfilling, purposeful, and sacred way to reflect upon our lives.
What’s your take? Here are a few discussion questions to get us started:
- Do you currently follow the church calendar?
- Would adopting the church calendar bring renewal to your faith?
- Which season—Advent, Lent, Easter, or Ordinary Time—has shaped your faith the most?
Do you want to ask a question or share your own reflection? Please create a free account , share a reflection, or ask a question.