For many Christians, the major celebrations of the Church year are clear: Christmas, Good Friday, Easter. But tucked into the calendar, forty days after Easter Sunday, is one of the most overlooked feasts in the Christian year: the Feast of the Ascension. It doesn’t usually get decorations or big meals, and it never falls on a Sunday. But it matters deeply—both for what it means and for how it shapes our lives.

So what is the Ascension of Jesus, and why should we make the effort to go to church and celebrate it?

What Happened at the Ascension?

According to Acts 1:9–11, after appearing to His disciples over forty days following His resurrection, Jesus was “taken up” into heaven before their eyes. As the disciples stood staring into the sky, two angels appeared and said, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go.” The Ascension marks the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the beginning of His heavenly reign.

This moment is not just a visual farewell—it is a declaration of triumph and authority. Jesus ascends not to leave us, but to be enthroned at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20–23), where He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34) and prepares a place for us (John 14:2–3) as a man, one of us, for us.

Why It Matters for You

The Ascension tells us that Jesus is not absent—He is exalted. He reigns as Lord over all creation, even when the world feels chaotic. His victory over sin, death, and the devil wasn’t just for a moment; it’s for all time, and He now rules until the day He returns in glory.

Even more personally, the Ascension assures us that our humanity has a place in heaven. Jesus didn’t shed His human body when He rose into glory. He carried it with Him. That means the physical, everyday parts of your life matter. Your body, your work, your relationships—they are not throwaway things but part of God’s good creation, now redeemed and destined for glory.

Why Church on Ascension Day?

Going to church on the Feast of the Ascension is a way to take all this seriously. We live in a world full of distractions, where spiritual things can feel distant. The Ascension calls us to lift our eyes—not just figuratively, but literally, in worship. When we gather with others around God’s Word and Sacraments, we join in a celebration that touches heaven.

And in a culture that often celebrates individual success, the Ascension reminds us that true glory doesn’t come from climbing ladders—but from the One who humbled Himself, was exalted, and now reigns for our sake (Philippians 2:5–11).

Don’t Miss the Glory

So go to church this Ascension Day. Don’t let this beautiful feast pass you by. Let it lift your eyes and anchor your heart. Christ is risen—and ascended—and He reigns for you.

Will you come and celebrate His victory?