Christian Festivals
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Christian Festivals |
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ChristmasChristians celebrate Jesus' birth on December 25th. It follows a month of preparation (Advent) and involved lots of festivities, school plays telling the story of the nativity, exchanging Christmas cards and presents, special meals, special decoration - very much like big festivals in other world religions. There is lots about Christmas at: http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/christmas/christmas1.html
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Shrove Tuesday and LentShrove Tuesday is four weeks before Easter. It is celebrated by making
pancakes and traditionally having pancake races etc. The idea is to use
up all of the rich food - eggs and flour ready for the month long fast
to prepare oneself for the Easter celebration. On Ash Wednesday (the day after Shrove Tuesday and the start of lent) Christians remember Jesus - they go to church and have the sign of the cross marked on their foreheads in ash. |
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Holy Week:Palm Sunday - Maundy ThursdayOn Palm Sunday - the first day of Holy week Christians remember when Jesus rode into Jerusalem riding on a donkey - people threw palm leaves down on the road like a red carpet might be laid in front of a king. Palm crosses are given to the congregation to help them think about the week ahead. Maundy Thursday is a reminder of the last supper - when Jesus celebrated
the first communion with is apostles. |
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Good FridayThe day that Jesus died on the cross. There are services in all Christian churches at the time Christ was crucified. These are very solemn occasions quite unlike what will occur three days later. |
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Easter SundayThe most important festival for Christians. It is a
very joyous occasion marked in churches by wonderful music and flowers.
Out of church by the exchange of cards and Easter eggs - a symbol of
spring and new life as Jesus' death brought new life to Christians.
http://www.geocities.com/traditions_uk/Easter.html |
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WhitsunOn the day of Pentecost when the Jews celebrated their harvest festival.
Jesus, his apostles and many people who followed him were together in
Jerusalem. Suddenly it seemed like a wind rushed through the crowd, everyone
suddenly could understand many languages new to them. It was a visit from
the Holy Spirit and he gave everyone there new power in their bodies so
that they could go and spread the word of God. |
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