This book investigates the historical development and theological underpinnings of key liturgical practices in early Christianity, specifically focusing on the origins of feasts, fasts, and the observance of seasons. Paul F. Bradshaw, a noted scholar of Christian liturgy and history, draws upon extensive primary source material and secondary scholarship to reconstruct the evolution of these observances. The work presents a detailed argument for how these temporal structures shaped the devotional life and communal identity of the early Church.

This collection is recognized within scholarly circles for its meticulous research into the formative period of Christian liturgical practice. Scholars of early Christianity and liturgy appreciate Bradshaw's rigorous engagement with primary sources and his nuanced interpretations of how feasts, fasts, and seasons became integral to the Christian year. The work is considered a valuable contribution to understanding the historical development of Christian worship and its theological underpinnings.