Festivals

Festivals

1. ADVENT

   • begins Sunday closest to 30 November
     • ends on Christmas Eve
   • celebrates expectation of Jesus' arrival
     • also looks to second coming of Jesus
   • Advent wreaths
     • 4 outer candles
       • 1st: early Jewish leaders: eg. Abraham
       • 2nd: great prophets: eg. Elijah, Isaiah
       • 3rd: John the Baptist
       • 4th: Mary
       • gets brighter each week
         • Jesus: Light of the World
     • central 'Christ candle'
       • lit on Christmas Day
         • He has arrived!

2. CHRISTMAS

   • Celebrates birth of Jesus
     • prophesied in Isaiah
     • God arrives on earth in human form
       • humble arrival
         • born in stable for animals
         • arrives as a baby
   • 25 December
   • Nativity scenes

3. EPIPHANY

   • 6 January
   • visit of wise men to baby Jesus
     • wise men were 'foreigners'
       • shows Jesus is there not just for Jews
     • We think of wise men's gifts
       • Gold shows richness of King
       • Frankincense shows Jesus as divine/holy
       • Myrrh shows he will die
   • Jesus and his purpose is REVEALED

4. LENT

   • begins 40 days before Easter
     • starts on Ash Wednesday
       • day after 'Shrove Tuesday'
         • sometimes known as 'Pancake Day'
         • idea is to use up rich food before fasting
       • Roman Catholics get sign of cross on forehead in ash
   • Remembers time Jesus spent in desert preparing for Ministry
     • lasts 40 days
       • time of prayer, fasting and works of charity
       • many Christians give something up for Lent
   • ends on Palm Sunday: first day of Holy Week

5. EASTER

   • Holy Week comes just before Easter
     • Palm Sunday remembers Jesus' triumphant arrival in Jerusalem
     • Maundy Thursday remembers Last Supper
     • Good Friday remembers Jesus' crucifixion
   • Easter begins on Easter Sunday
     • Empty tomb
       • Jesus has risen!
     • Jesus spends 40 days on earth after he has risen from the dead
       • He is seen by many people
       • He spends time with his disciples
         • continues to prepare them for ministry

6. ASCENSION DAY

   • 40 days after Easter Sunday
   • Jesus ascends to Heaven
     • Jesus reminds disciples that Holy Spirit will come imminently

7. PENTECOST

   • 10 days after Ascension Day
   • 50 days after ressurection
   • arrival of Holy Spirit
     • disciples in house in Jerusalem
       • symbols of wind and flames
       • disciples told to spread news
         • start of Christian church
         • Church celebrates its 'birthday party'
       • suddenly speak in many languages
         • idea of communication with strangers
           • ready for mission gathering followers