what important role do festivals have in Christianity
helping others remember the major events in their religion and to plan public worship
what are the 2 main seasons in the Christian calendar
Advent (Christians and epiphany) and Lent Easter and Pentecost)
why do Christians live through events in Jesus’s life
by living through His life, death and resurrection, Christians remember that God gave his only son for us
how do Christians celebrate Christmas
- The story of Jesus’ birth (the nativity) is often retold by children through ‘Nativity Plays’
- Church services often include carol singing - these are happy songs which tell the Christmas story.
- Some Christians start Christmas Day with a midnight communion service (midnight mass).
- The celebration of Christmas is often accompanied by the giving and receiving of presents and cards. This reminds Christians of the gift of Jesus, the son of God, beginning his earthly life.
what is the significance of Christmas
to commemorate the birth of Jesus
what is the significance of Easter
to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus
how do Christians celebrate the preparation of easter
- Lent, a period of spiritual preparation for Easter which involves fasting, penance and prayer
- Mardi Gres on Tuesday, the day before the first day of Lent. The reference to “fat” refers to the custom of eating fatty foods on the evening
- Ash Wednesday: This is held on the first day of Lent, a Wednesday.
- Holy Week: the week before Easter Sunday:
how do Christians celebrate Easter
- Palm Sunday, recalls Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem one week before his execution.
- Holy Monday commemorates Jesus’ cleansing of the temple
- Holy Tuesday recalls Jesus’ description to his disciples on the Mount of Olives of the destruction of Jerusalem.
- Holy Wednesday recalls Judas’ decision to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver.
- Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, Jesus agony in the garden and his arrest
- Good Friday recalls Jesus’ death on the cross
- Holy Saturday is the final day of Holy Week and of Lent.
- Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection
traditions on easter
- Hot Cross Buns
- Easter Rabbit and Eggs
- Easter Lilies
- Easter Sunrise Service
- Hot Cross Buns
- Easter Rabbit and Eggs
- Easter Lilies
- Easter Sunrise Service
- it influences the life of christians as they thank God for his gift of Jesus (be kind to others)
- encourages them to focus on family, children and the poor to make christmas a time of warmth and love
how does christmas influence the life of christians today (hope)
- it influences christians because it influences them to he hopeful
- it is a time for hope and peace and reconciliation to our fellow man
- and for christians to show their faith to the world
what evidence is there to show the importance of christmas today
its a state holiday in the uk, showing the importance of the event in a christian country
what evidence is there to show the importance of easter today
special church services run throughout the week remembering the lead up to the greatest sacrifice eve rmade
what is the impact easter has on christians today
- christians move from a period of great sadness to great joy
- because they know what God has done for them, sacrificing his Son to bring about reconciliation
- places emphasis on the human suffering of jesus and obedience to the will of God
what is a christian belief about easter
- christians believe that God reunited himself with humanity by the actions of Jesus
- this is so that they can once again be reunited with Him at death (the new covenant)
