Rhythms of Habit

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Rhythms of Habit: Cultivating Virtue Through Christian Time (CiRCE Books, 2026)

In Rhythms of Habit, priest, educator, and headmaster Jon Jordan explores the relationship between virtue, habit, and the Church Year. Drawing from Scripture, classical Christian wisdom, and years of pastoral ministry, he shows how the calendar of the Church serves as a practical guide to spiritual formation. Advent teaches hope-filled longing. Lent cultivates repentance and self-denial. Easter forms us in joy and resurrection life. Throughout the year, the Church trains Christians in the habits necessary for a life of holiness.

The book begins with an introduction to the cardinal and theological virtues and explains how habits function as the “moral muscles” of the Christian life. It then explores the formative power of the church calendar before concluding with a collection of sermons that demonstrate how the seasons and feast days of the Christian year shape Christian character in practice.

Accessible, practical, and deeply rooted in the historic faith, Rhythms of Habit offers a compelling vision of discipleship for Christians seeking to grow in wisdom, virtue, and communion with God. Whether you are a classical educator seeking a practical route to virtue formation or a Christian seeking to embody the virtues, this book will help you discover how entering into Christian time transforms us into the image of Christ.

Praise for Rhythms of Habit

Jon Jordan’s Rhythms of Habit makes a helpful and original contribution to the growing body of literature on how the rhythms of the Church Year can deepen and sustain our faith. He gives a clear introduction to the seven virtues, helps us to understand how habit strengthens virtue and helps us see how the Church Year can itself strengthen habits of virtue. I commend this book not only of its clarity but also for the way Jordan constantly illustrates the practical applications of all he says. The whole book has the tone and style of helpful advice from a good friend who understands our struggles and is there to help us.

Malcolm Guite, Life Fellow of Girton College Cambridge

I don’t know another book that attempts what Jon Jordan does here, interconnecting the virtues (both classical and theological) with the Christian Year. Jordan’s years-long experience as a teacher comes through in the simple clarity (but not false simplicity) with which he uses Scripture to introduce his readers to what various virtues are and why they are important if we want to live real Christian lives, and then pulls off the same simple clarity with the annual cycle of church seasons that starts with Advent. With many a concrete example, Jordan explains and he shows, especially with a selection of sermons that bring home the virtues through the seasons. The aim of everything in this book—developing virtues, learning Christian habits, and practicing it all again year after year—is to have the “muscle memory” of a true disciple of Jesus.

Rev. Dr. Victor Lee Austin, Theologian-in-residence, Episcopal Diocese of Dallas

In this moral guide connecting the virtues and the church year, Jon Jordan draws upon the riches of past Christian moral reflection and the beauty of Christian worship to present a helpful guide to becoming the type of person who can actually adapt to the challenges of the present age. We live in an age where we talk a lot about character and virtue, but often seem lost as to how to become more virtuous people. Jordan’s thoughtful illumination of the connection between how we live, how we worship, and how we pray provides an essential roadmap for Christians of all ages, stages, and interests to move forward on the path to holiness.

Dr. Elisabeth Rain Kincaid, Director of the Institute for Faith and Learning, Baylor University