Christian festivals commemorate key moments in Jesus’s life. Some, like Christmas and Easter, have fixed dates on the calendar while others can change depending on events that transpire over time.
PALM SUNDAY marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, as well as beginning Lent, which lasts six weeks up until Easter Sunday.
Christmas
Christmas, an important Christian festival, is observed annually on December 25. Known as Christ Mass or just Christmas for short, it consists of spending time with family while commemorating Jesus’ birth and participating in fun, seasonal traditions. Some theorize that its origin may lie with pagan festivals before becoming Christianised over time (Bratcher pg 1).
Advent (mid-November/Dec) is the season of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas and its celebration. Additionally, it marks Jesus’ second coming (Parousia). Advent can be described as an expectation-building season.
Christian Calendar Origins When Christianity first started celebrating its own festivals, some dates were already being observed by Romans while others followed Jewish lunar Calendar dates. When creating their own festival dates for celebrations of its own.
Lent and Advent are times for penitence, reflection, fasting and prayer in preparation for Christmas and Easter celebrations. Although these actions are not obligatory for Christians to participate in, some find them useful in getting ready for these festive festivities that lie ahead.
The Christmas tree has long been seen as a symbol of eternal life. Lit with candles during Christmas season, its evergreen branches serve as a reminder that Jesus is our Light. Christmas traditions in countries where there are significant Latin American Christian immigrant populations have mixed with local customs; for instance on days leading up to Christmas reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for an appropriate residence and children try breaking pinatas filled with candy are popular activities among them; or in India where evergreen trees cannot be found instead using mango or bamboo trees are used instead while homes decorated with paper stars to remind everyone who knows Jesus as their Light!
Easter
Christian believers commemorate Easter as the day Jesus rose from the grave – which forms the core belief of their religion and makes life worth living. Without Easter, there would be no religion.
Christmas Day is an annual feast with no set date due to Christianity evolving from two earlier calendars – Jewish and Roman – which used lunar cycles as their basis; Christian calendar adapted this form. Additionally, holidays like this one may vary throughout the year due to solar year variability but should fall mostly within certain ranges.
Holy Week marks the week leading up to Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday and culminating with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. During this period of preparation for Easter through fasting, prayer, and study – much like how Jesus spent 40 days fasting and praying before being crucified on Good Friday – people are invited to prepare themselves spiritually through fasting, prayer, study and fasting. This modelled after how he prepared himself by fasting from food and water for 40 days in preparation of being crucified himself.
Christians observe the Feast of Ascension on the first Sunday after Easter to remember Mary being told by Archangel Gabriel that she would give birth to God’s son Jesus Christ. All branches of Christianity mark this as a major festival.
On August 15th, we commemorate the Assumption. This commemorates Mary’s ascension into Heaven at the end of her life and marks Christian unity by recognising all followers as one in Jesus. Festivities may include parades, fireworks and pageants – an especially joyous event in Eastern Europe where Catholic churches organize massive procession and masses to mark this special date.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day, one of the earliest Christian festivals, celebrates Jesus’ ascension into heaven. It is observed by Catholic and Anglican churches alike but does not typically fall on public holidays. Additionally, Ascension Day marks a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics, so adherents must attend Mass on this date.
Churches around the world observe this day by holding a procession that depicts Jesus’ ascension and hosting a feast to mark this important event. Many take time off work or time-consuming hobbies like playing online slot games on top slot sites (슬롯사이트) or family obligations on this day in order to reflect upon what it means that Jesus died and rose again from death.
Though Ascension Day may not be as widely celebrated as Christmas and Easter, Christians must commemorate its importance. It commemorates Jesus leaving Earth and ascending into Heaven – marking a major moment in his three-year ministry and marking an essential event in human salvation history.
Ascension Day occurs 40 days after Easter because, according to Scripture, Jesus met with his disciples for forty days after his resurrection and taught them how they could implement his teachings and prepare themselves for Pentecost.
Ascension Day is an important occasion for Christians as it serves as a reminder that they have been delivered from evil and that there is a plan in God’s mercy for humanity. Additionally, Ascension Day should serve as a call to continue following in Jesus’ teachings.
Pentecost
Pentecost (also referred to as Whit Sunday or Whit Monday), marks a Christian holiday that commemorates the coming of Holy Spirit to Jesus’ disciples. This day marks the birthday of Christianity itself and is celebrated across various denominations. Pentecost dates back to Shavuot (held 50 days after Passover); Christians who came out of Judaism later adopted many aspects of Jewish celebrations into their celebrations as Pentecost approaches.
Pentecost is one of the seven Major Feasts observed by Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and considered an extremely significant event. Pentecost festivities typically begin with an all-night vigil on its eve and then Divine Liturgy itself on Pentecost day itself; its color red symbolizes tongues of flame that came down upon Apostles as described in Acts chapter two of Bible.
Many Christians take advantage of this event to host baptisms and confirmations, while others use this day to commemorate when the Holy Spirit empowered early Christianity to spread God’s message throughout all nations. Additionally, it is believed that multilingualism was granted by Him as early followers of Jesus could speak various languages when sharing their faith with one another.
Reminding ourselves to celebrate Christianity rather than specific holidays and traditions should remain at the core of all celebrations is essential. Unfortunately, some festivals have become overly commercialized or have lost their original purpose due to commercialization; therefore it’s imperative for Christians to return to their source, keeping in mind Jesus Christ’s teachings while celebrating these festivals.
Assumption
The Feast of Assumption or Dormition of Mother of God commemorates Mary’s assumption into heaven at her earthly death and remains part of Christian piety worldwide. August 15 marks this feast which marks this great event.
Scripture does not make explicit mention of this assumption, yet there are various passages cited to support it. Although not explicitly taught as doctrine in Christianity’s canonical texts, Catholic teaching supports it and it has long been held by Christians throughout history – although not universally. Acceptance among other denominations includes Eastern Orthodox Christians as well as some Lutherans and Anglicans.
Tradition dictates that on Assumption Day, people typically bring the first fruits of their summer harvest for blessing as an act of gratitude to Mary as she was the first fruit of Jesus’ resurrection and as a reminder that our own bodies too shall one day experience resurrection.
In 1950, Pope Pius XII officially defined Assumption as dogma of the Catholic Church to make clear what many believers already held as truths and beliefs. He sought input from bishops around the globe regarding this matter before affirming that Assumption had already become widely accepted among Catholics as part of their sensus fidei – their sense of faith.