CHURCH FESTIVALS

The majority of Christian festivals are based on a special moment or event in the life of Jesus. These
festivals help Christians remember the story of his life, but they also draw attention to their religious
significance.
The events surrounding the birth of Jesus are very important for Christians and they are remembered by
celebrating Advent and Christmas. In some churches, Epiphany is also an important festival.
The Christian year is a twelve month cycle. It does not begin in January like a traditional calendar. It
begins with Advent, the four week period leading up to Christmas.
Different churches put different emphases on the Christian calendar. For instance, the Roman Catholic
Church keeps a very full calendar, observing a great many feasts and saints’ days. Some Protestant
churches, on the other hand, keep a much simpler calendar with only the major festivals being
observed. Some evangelical Churches ignore the traditional Christian calendar completely, except for
Christmas and Easter.
FESTIVALS, TOO MANY OR TOO FEW?
Here are some of the reasons for having a full church calendar and remembering many festivals:
 Festivals help Christians to have a sense of tradition and history.

 Marking a special event on a particular day means you are less likely to forget the occasion.

 Having a calendar keeps you organised and structured.

On the other hand, there are arguments for not observing a full calendar:
 Festivals can be a distraction from true worship.

 There is no Christian calendar in the Bible.

 Christmas and Easter are good examples of how celebrations can become more important than

the religious beliefs behind the festival.

 It is important to remember the birth and death of Jesus all through the year, not just at

Christmas and Easter.

THE PURPOSE OF FESTIVALS
Here are some of the reasons why people celebrate Christian festivals:
 To remember – most Christian festivals are based on a special moment or event in the life of

Jesus. These festivals help Christians to remember the religious importance or significance of
these events.
 To mark the seasons of the year – some Christian festivals replaced pagan festivals which

marked important times of the year. For example, 25 December was associated with the
 pagan festival which marked the beginning of the longer hours of daylight, while Easter
replaced a spring festival associated with the pagan goddess Eostre.
 To celebrate – festivals are a time to stop routine activities and perhaps have a rest or some fun.

In medieval times, religious festivals were the only days people had off from work.
ADVENT
Advent is four weeks long and marks the beginning of the Christian year. The first Sunday of Advent is
always four Sundays before Christmas, which means it could be as early as 27 November.
The word ‘advent’ literally means ‘coming’ and it is a time of reflection on the coming of Christ into the
world at his birth. It is also a time of preparation when Christians think about the second coming of
Christ and what they need to do to be ready for his return. For Christians, Advent is not just a time of
excitement - there is also a sense of seriousness and self-examination.
During Advent, particular readings from the Bible are used at some church services. From the Old
Testament there are readings about the promised Messiah. From the New Testament there are readings
about the time leading up to the birth of Jesus. There may also be special focus on John the Baptist, who
was important in preparing the way for the coming of Jesus.
Advent customs
 The Advent wreath – this is a circle of evergreen leaves, representing eternal life. There are four
white candles on the wreath and one candle is lit on each of the Sundays of Advent. A fifth
candle, usually red, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The candles symbolise Jesus as the
light of the world.
 The Advent calendar – this is a German tradition, dating back for a hundred years or so. By
opening the 24 doors on the calendar children are encouraged to think about the passing days
of Advent. The traditional Advent calendars had a Bible verse or picture behind each door, but
nowadays it is usually a piece of chocolate.
 Charity events – As Advent is traditionally a time for Christians to think about how they can
change for the better, some charities give the opportunity for practical action. One such event at
this time of year is the Concern sponsored fast. Also during Advent, Christian Aid provides
resources for schools and churches to think about others.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a fixed festival. It always falls on the same date each year, as it does not matter on which
day of the week Christmas is celebrated.
No-one is certain of the date on which Jesus was born. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas,
and it wasn’t until the fourth century that the date of 25 December was decided on.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Christmas Day is celebrated on 7 January.
For Christians, Christmas is all about God sending His son into the world as part of His plan to bring
salvation to people everywhere. Christians also think about the ‘incarnation’ - literally meaning ‘in the
flesh’ - when God became man in the form of the baby Jesus. The incarnation reminds Christians
that Jesus is a human being, the son of Mary and Joseph, and that he is also divine.
There are many customs and traditions that are associated with Christmas. Some are related to events
in the Bible (such as the nativity play) while others have been invented by Christians to make their
celebration of Christmas more meaningful and enjoyable (for example, Christmas cards and carol
singing). Some customs have their origin in pagan traditions. These include kissing under the mistletoe –
a plant that was a symbol of fertility in pagan times.
How do Christians celebrate Christmas?
There are a variety of ways that Christian churches choose to mark the occasion. Here are some
examples:
The Christingle Service
The word ‘Christingle’ means ‘Christ Light’ and it originated in the Moravian Church. Worshippers (often
children) are given a Christingle to hold and there may be a candlelit procession around the church. This
is the symbolism of the christingle:
 orange = the world

 candle = Jesus, the light of the world

 red band = blood of Christ, shed for the world

 cocktail sticks = four seasons

 nuts and fruit = the good things the earth provides

A traditional christingle
The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
This traditional service originated in King’s College Cambridge and is now used in churches of many
denominations. Usually it starts with the carol O Little Town of Bethlehem, then there is the bidding
prayer in which people are bid to come and celebrate the birth of Christ. There then follows nine
readings from the Old and New Testaments. These tell first of God’s covenant with the Israelites, then
the promise of the Messiah. The stories of Jesus’ birth from Matthew and Luke are read and the final
reading is always the beginning of John’s Gospel. The readings are interspersed with carols, sung either
by the choir or congregation.
MIDNIGHT MASS
Many Roman Catholic and Anglican Christians attend this service on Christmas Eve so that they can
begin Christmas Day in the proper frame of mind.
FAMILY SERVICE
Some denominations hold a special service on Christmas morning. Young children may be encouraged to
bring their toys. Christmas carols are sung and there are Bible readings based around the Christmas
story.
EPIPHANY
The twelfth day of Christmas, 6 January, is Epiphany. This marks the end of the Christmas season. The
word ‘epiphany’ comes from the Greek language and means ‘to show forth’. Traditionally, this is the
date of the visit of the Magi when Jesus was ‘to show forth’ as God’s Son to non-Jews. Christians believe
that this is significant as it is a sign that Jesus’ birth would be important for all people and not just the
Jews. This idea is known as universalism.
OTHER CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS
LENT
Lent is the period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) that stretches from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
It is associated with the time Jesus spent in the wilderness when he fasted for 40 days and nights and
was tempted by the Devil.
Lent is a time for Christians to prepare for Easter and reflect on the example of Jesus. Christians
remember the suffering that Jesus endured and how he sacrificed his life for the salvation of all people.
Traditionally, Christians used to fast during Lent, eating just a small amount of very simple food. Today,
the majority of Christians are more relaxed about observing Lent as a fast, but it is still an important part
of the Christian year.
Many Christians will take part in all or some of the following during Lent:
 Prayer – Many churches will hold extra services during Lent when people can pray together.

Others may choose to spend more time in individual prayer and meditation. In both cases the
main type of prayer will be confession.
 Bible study – Some churches may hold Bible study groups in each other’s homes during Lent.

Some Christians may spend more time than usual reading the Bible on their own.
 Fasting – Nowadays many Christians will not fast strictly for Lent, but they may decide to deny

themselves by giving up treats or luxuries.

 Good works - Some families will have a Lent box in the house. This is a small moneybox where

they place money saved by not having luxuries. The money is used to help Christian projects
in the developing world. Some Christians will also sacrifice their time during Lent, perhaps to
be involved with charity work.
SHROVE TUESDAY
This is the day before Lent begins. In the Middle Ages, Christians would go to church on this day to
be ‘shriven’ - meaning to receive forgiveness for the sins they confessed. This is the origin of the name
‘Shrove Tuesday’. This day is also known as ‘Pancake Tuesday’. In order to get ready for the traditional
fast of Lent it was necessary to use up all the forbidden ingredients in the house, such as eggs and milk.
It was a last chance for people to enjoy themselves before the solemn period of Lent. In Britain and
Ireland it is traditional to make pancakes, but in other parts of the world it is a day of carnivals and
parties.
ASH WEDNESDAY
This is the first day of Lent. In the Roman Catholic Church and some protestant Churches (including the
Church of Ireland) a special service takes place during which worshippers confess their sins and
are ‘signed with ashes’. This means that the priest marks the sign of the cross on a person’s forehead
using ashes. This is a public way for a person to show they are sorry for their sins and intend to live a
good Christian life in the future. The ashes are made by burning the small palm crosses used at the
previous year’s Palm Sunday service.

Child at Ash Wednesday ceremony, USA

MOTHER’S DAY
This is the fourth Sunday in Lent. In some churches this was traditionally a time for Christians to return
to their ‘mother’ – ie the church where they were baptised. More recently, Mother’s Day is a special
time for people to show their appreciation to their mothers.
HOLY WEEK
According to the gospel writers, the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection took place during
the last week of his life in Jerusalem. This week began on the Sunday that Jesus rode into the city in
triumph and ended with his resurrection a week later. In the Christian calendar, this week is known as
‘Holy Week’ and it is the last week of Lent. In some churches there are daily services held during Holy
Week, others will focus on the main events:
PALM SUNDAY
On Palm Sunday, Christians remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In some churches
small crosses made out of palm leaves are given out. These are a reminder that although Jesus entered
Jerusalem in triumph, he was soon to be put to death. In some churches, worshippers join in a
procession at the end of the service.

Palm Sunday crosses and branches

MAUNDY THURSDAY
The word ‘maundy’ comes from the Latin word ‘mandatum’, meaning an order or command. It reminds
Christians of the words Jesus said to his disciples on the day before he was crucified: “A new command I
give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another” (John 13:34). Jesus also
gave a practical demonstration of this love by washing the feet of his disciples. This was an act of
humility and service and Christians try to remember their duty to serve others on this day. In some
churches, the priest or minister will wash the feet of a person in the congregation as a sign of their duty
to serve the people of God.
In the past the king or queen of England would wash the feet of the poor, but now they give out special
coins called Maundy money to elderly people. The Pope still washes people’s feet at a special Maundy
Thursday service.
Maundy Thursday is also important because this was when Jesus instituted Holy Communion at the Last
Supper. After this, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before his arrest. To remember this,
some churches will hold a prayer vigil during the night of Maundy Thursday.
GOOD FRIDAY
For Christians of all denominations Good Friday is the most solemn day of the year. It is when they
remember Jesus’ death on the cross. It may seem strange that a day of such sadness is called ‘good’, but
Christians believe that on this day Jesus showed the greatest possible goodness by dying for the sake of
sinful humanity. Some Christians will attend church or spend time in private prayer between 12 noon
and 3pm, the time Jesus was on the cross.
A tradition in Roman Catholic churches is to visit the fourteen Stations of the Cross. These are statues or
pictures representing the last events of Jesus’ life and his journey to the cross. They are situated around
the church. Worshippers make their way from one station to another, kneeling at each scene, reciting
the appropriate prayers and reflecting on what Jesus went through on their behalf.
Holy Saturday
This was the day when Jesus’ body was in the tomb. In the Roman Catholic Church it is a day of quiet
anticipation. An Easter vigil service is held on Saturday night.
HOLY WEEK - CONTINUED
EASTER SUNDAY
Unlike Christmas, Easter does not have a fixed date. It is a movable festival because it always has to fall
on a Sunday, the day of the resurrection. The dating of Easter was a very controversial issue. The
method currently used goes back to a decision made in the fourth century – Easter Day is the Sunday
following the first full moon after the spring equinox. This means that Easter can fall any time between
21 March and 25 April. The Eastern Orthodox Church did not agree with this decision and it celebrates
Easter on a different date.
After the solemn events of Holy Week comes Easter Sunday, a day of great joy. On this day, Christians
celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Some churches hold a dawn service on Easter
Sunday to watch the sun rise and thank God for the resurrection.
New life is a common theme at Easter, and a popular symbol of this is the Easter egg. It symbolises
Jesus’ resurrection – new life breaking out of the tomb.
Light is another important Easter symbol. In the Roman Catholic Church a special candle is lit, called
the Paschal candle (‘the candle of suffering’). This candle is brought into the church, symbolising the
light that has been brought into the world following Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The
worshippers light their own candle from the Pashcal candle until the whole church is glowing with light.
The meaning of Easter
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, Christians believe that people can experience God’s
power in their lives. They can have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life.
For Christians, Jesus’ death and resurrection are also meaningful because they:
 prove there is life after death

 prove Jesus was the Messiah

 fulfil Old Testament prophecies

 show God’s power over sin and death

 show how much God loves humankind

PENTECOST (WHITSUN)
The word ‘Pentecost’ comes from the Greek word for 'fifty', and it always falls 50 days after Easter. At
Pentecost, Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit which Jesus promised to his disciples. The
occasion for this was ten days earlier at the Ascension, when Jesus returned to heaven and the disciples
saw him on earth for the last time. Ascension is also remembered by the Christian church today and it
falls 40 days after Easter Sunday.
Pentecost is also remembered as the birthday of the Church because through the power of the Holy
Spirit the disciples began to spread the message of Christianity. The Bible records that over 3,000 people
were baptised on this day.
Pentecost provides an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. When
Pentecost is celebrated in churches, symbols representing the Holy Spirit (such as fire) are talked and
sung about and displayed.
Traditionally, Pentecost is a time for admitting new members to the Church through baptism. People
dress in white to symbolise purity. As a consequence the day became known as White Sunday, Whit
Sunday or Whitsun.

HARVEST
Harvest refers to the time during autumn when farmers traditionally brought in the crops that supplied
their community through the year. Although our food today is more likely to come from the
supermarket, Christians believe it is still important to remember God as creator and thank Him for the
good things He provides.
Many churches do this annually at a Harvest Thanksgiving service. At this service, members of the
congregation might bring gifts of food and flowers to decorate the church building as a sign of their
thanks to God. These gifts may later be taken to needy or elderly people in the neighbourhood.

A pulpit is decorated for Harvest Thanksgiving

The purpose of this festival is not only to thank God for the abundance of food many of us enjoy, but
also to raise awareness of the hunger that exists in other parts of the world. Some churches might
encourage their members to give to those in need in the developing world.
SAINTS’ DAYS
Traditionally, the Christian Church has recognised that certain people are especially holy because they
have lived a life that is close to the Christian ideal. These people are called saints.
A saint is officially recognised after death as being worthy of special honour (this is because a person’s
whole life needs to be considered). Traditionally, saints’ days became times of feasting, celebration
and a chance to have a day off work.
In some Christian denominations - for example, the Roman Catholic Church - saints continue to play a
very important role. All the well-known saints have their own special day. A special Mass will be
celebrated where worshippers will reflect on the inspiration a particular saint has given.
Saints are also important in the Church of Ireland, but in some churches they have little or no role to
play - for example, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
There are two main reasons why saints days are kept and why they are regarded by many Christians as
being important:
1. To help people remember – celebrating saints days is a way of ensuring that special
people are not forgotten.
2. To give Christians good examples – saints are the heroes or role models of the Church
and remembering the stories of their lives gives people a good example to follow.