Years A, B and C
Three years, three Gospels, beginning on Advent Sunday. Working out which one you are in takes one division.
The Revised Common Lectionary, which the Church of England uses for its principal service readings, runs on a three-year cycle. Each year works steadily through one of the synoptic Gospels, with John distributed across all three, particularly at Christmas, in Lent and through Eastertide.
| Year | Gospel | Begins on Advent Sunday of |
|---|---|---|
| Year A | Matthew | A calendar year divisible by 3 |
| Year B | Mark, with John filling out the year | The year after |
| Year C | Luke | The year after that |
Which year are we in?
The liturgical year that begins on Advent Sunday of a calendar year divisible by three is Year A. So Advent 2025 began Year A; Advent 2026 begins Year B. We are currently in Year A.
The catch that trips people up every December: the lectionary year changes at the start of Advent, not on 1 January. For roughly the last month of the calendar year you are already in the next lectionary year.
| Advent of | Begins | On |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Year B | 29 November 2026 |
| 2027 | Year C | 28 November 2027 |
| 2028 | Year A | 3 December 2028 |
| 2029 | Year B | 2 December 2029 |
| 2030 | Year C | 1 December 2030 |
| 2031 | Year A | 30 November 2031 |
| 2032 | Year B | 28 November 2032 |
| 2033 | Year C | 27 November 2033 |
| 2034 | Year A | 3 December 2034 |
| 2035 | Year B | 2 December 2035 |
The two Old Testament tracks
Through Ordinary Time the RCL offers two Old Testament tracks for each Sunday, and a parish picks one and stays with it for the season:
- Continuous — works through an Old Testament book week by week, on its own terms, regardless of the Gospel.
- Related — picks an Old Testament passage chosen to speak to that Sunday’s Gospel.
Neither is more correct. Continuous suits preaching series and gives the Old Testament its own voice; related makes for a tidier single-theme service. Switching mid-season is the only actual mistake.
Questions
What lectionary year are we in?
Year A. The liturgical year beginning on Advent Sunday of a calendar year divisible by three is Year A, and the cycle runs A, B, C from there.
Which Gospel does each lectionary year follow?
Year A follows Matthew, Year B follows Mark with John filling out the year, and Year C follows Luke. John is also distributed across all three years, especially at Christmas, in Lent and in Eastertide.
When does the lectionary year change?
On Advent Sunday, not 1 January. For about the last month of the calendar year you are already in the next lectionary year.
What is the difference between the continuous and related tracks?
The continuous track works through an Old Testament book week by week on its own terms; the related track picks an Old Testament passage chosen to speak to that Sunday's Gospel. Choose one and keep it for the whole season.