Feast of the Ascension
The Feast of the Ascension, celebrated forty days after Easter, commemorates the risen Christ’s return to the Father. Within the liturgical year, it stands as a principal feast, marking the culmination of the Resurrection season and affirming Christ’s exaltation and ongoing reign at the right hand of God. The Ascension also inaugurates a period of expectant waiting that leads to Pentecost, echoing Christ’s promise that the Holy Spirit would come upon the Church (Acts 1:8). This is a great feast of hope where the Church celebrates the fact that our Lord has borne our humanity directly into the presence of the Father and there perpetually ministers for our sake (Heb. 4:14–16, 6:19-20, 9:24). The overall emphasis of this feast is on the unity of Christ’s earthly ministry, resurrection, and heavenly reign, drawing the faithful into a vision of Christ who is both ascended and yet present with his Church.
Scripture
Acts 1:1-11
Ps. 47 or Ps. 110:1-5
Eph. 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53 or Mark 16:9-20
Collect
Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven: May our hearts and minds also there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Traditions
“Beating the Bounds”
Is an ancient British custom in which the Priest and the church’s parishioners would walk the parish boundaries, marking the bounds with sticks and praying for protection and blessing upon the parish. Modern update: Gather your home parish or family to walk your neighborhood or home parish streets and pray for God’s blessing and protection over the area.
Feasting Foods
It is traditional to serve bird/fowl (or food shaped like a bird) during this feast, representing Christ "flying" to heaven. Other ideas for feasting include cloud-themed foods, such as divinity or whipped cream.
Pray a Novena
Beginning the day after the Feast of the Ascension, it is traditional in the Western Church to begin praying a novena in preparation for the Feast of Pentecost, with each day often focusing on a particular aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work. Here is one novena, and here is a simpler version.
Take a Hike
Walk up a hilltop to commemorate Jesus leading his disciples out to Bethany and the Mount of Olives before he ascended (Luke 24:50). Join ASH for a hike on Sunday morning, May 17!
Release Balloons
Purchase helium-filled, biodegradable balloons, draw a picture of Jesus on them, and release them outside. Watch the picture of Jesus ascend into the sky.
Church Calendar Resources
- Book of Common Prayer, 2019, ACNA
- Church Calendar Living channel on Slack
- Explore the All Saints Church Calendar section of our website
- Sacred Seasons by Danielle Hitchen
- www.ashleytumlinwallace.com