The following is an excerpt from Seasons of Worship: A Spiritual Calendar for the Church Today.
The Ascension of Jesus, which occurs forty days after his resurrection, celebrated Jesus returning to his Father in heaven. A regular occurrence of celebrating the Ascension began near the end of the fourth century in several places, including Antioch, Nyssa, and northern Italy, and became almost universal early in the fifth century.
Celebrating the Ascension of Jesus should be a momentous occasion for Christians. The ascension represents the climactic and crowning moment of his exaltation, serving as a necessary precursor to his ongoing work through the Spirit and the church. Furthermore, the ascension foreshadows the ultimate event in salvation history: Jesus’ personal, physical, and glorious return from heaven.
©2024 Steven D. Brooks, Wipf and Stock Publishers
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If you would like to read more about the Ascension of Jesus and the Christian year, and it’s spiritual impact upon the lives of worshipers, you can find more in Seasons of Worship: A Spiritual Calendar for the Church Today by Dr. Steven D. Brooks.