Epiphany-tide is followed by a short period unofficially known as "Little Lent," and designated in the American book as The Pre-Lent Season. In it occur three Sundays called, respectively, Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, the dates of which may be found by consulting the tables of moveable feasts.
Septuagesima is the ninth Sunday before Easter. Traditional hymns for this day dwell upon the theme of God as Creator, the reference being in harmony with the lessons from the Old Testament which, in the English and Canadian churches, are from the first and second chapters of Genesis. Less stress may be laid upon this theme in the American church which uses other lessons for the day, although the earlier chapters of Genesis are appointed to be read on the Monday after Septuagesima.
It should be noted that no Alleluias are sung from Septuagesima until Easter. There is not direction in the Prayer Books relating this custom, but it is and old tradition that is observed with good reason. The pre-Lenten season and Lent itself are penitential periods, and the singing of joyful Alleluias would scarcely be consistent with the meditative nature of the services. At one time, some churches used to make a ceremony of "burying the Alleluia" during the week before Septuagesima, and "resurrecting" it early on Easter morning. Many Anglican hymnals still contain a hymn which was sung during the "burying of the Alleluia," and which reads in part:
Alleluia cannot always
Be our song while here below;
Alleluia our transgressions
Make us for a while forego;
For the solemn time is coming
When our tears for sin must flow.
The dominant theme of Sexagesima Sunday is that of the gospel: the Sower and the Seed.
On Quinquagesima the subject of charity is brought to mind by the collect and epistle. There is no lack of hymns and anthems based upon the theme of brotherly love.