Christianity is one of the most prominent religions in the world, and its festivals are celebrated across the globe. From Easter to Christmas, celebrations mark the special moments in Christianity that make this faith special. Here, we will explore the major festivals of Christianity and their origins, importance and meaning.
One of the most well-known festivals of Christianity is Easter. Easter is a celebration of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and marks the third day after his crucifixion. It was originally a pagan festival, as it is held at the same time of the year as the pagan fertility rites. In the early Christian Church, Easter was celebrated as a one-time commemoration of Jesus’s triumphant Resurrection from the dead. Today, Easter is celebrated around the world on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the Vernal Equinox, typically falling between the latter half of March and the middle of April. Easter is a commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and is celebrated through worship services, prayers and special activities.
Christmas is another important festival of Christianity, celebrated around the world on December 25th in honour of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Although Christmas commonly is celebrated as a Christian holiday, its date and assoctation are pagan-related. It has often been assumed that Christmas was chosen as the date to celebrate Christ’s birth because it coincided with the winter solstice and Roman Saturnalia feasts. As Jesus’s birth is likely to have occurred in spring or summer, some scholars point out the pagan origin of the timing of the festival. Since the fourth century, Christmas has become the most popular Christian holiday and continues to be celebrated worldwide through gift exchange, feasting and church services.
The last of the major festivals is Pentecost. Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter and is considered the birthday of the Church. It is believed to be the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, giving them the power to spread the Good News. Pentecost is celebrated with solemn liturgies, joyful processions and feasting, and often includes the lighting of the Paschal candle and the singing of the ‘Gloria’. Pentecost emphasizes the confirmed belief in the Holy Trinity, as well as the belief of the Apostles to go out and preach.
Overall, Christian festivals are not just events to be celebrated, they are also moments to reflect upon and celebrate the foundation of the faith. Although the timing and associations of the festivals may have pagan or non-Christian connections, the symbolism and significance behind them are deeply embedded in the Christian faith.
Advent
Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. It is a period of four weeks preceding Christmas and marks the start of the Christian year. During advent, churches often mark the beginning of the festive season with an Advent wreath, which is a circular garland of greenery with four candles on it, one being lit on each Sunday of the season. The Advent wreath is symbolic of the hope, peace, joy and love that is to come at Christmas with the coming of the Christ-child.
Advent puts a special emphasis on the preparation of spiritual gifts in anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Each year during Advent, many churches hold special services during this season and encourage Christians to focus on spiritual rather than material gifts. In some cultures, it is traditional to make and exchange cards with personalized Scriptures and prayers.
Advent is often associated with the season of Christmas, though it is an important festival of anticipation in its own right. Advent serves as a reminder to pause, reflect and prepare to receive the good news of Christmas joy and hope.
Lent
Lent is a period of self-examination and reflection prior to Easter. Lent is a season of repentance, fasting and preparation that lasts for 40 days and begins on Ash Wednesday. The length of the period of Lent is designed to emulate the 40 days Christ spent in the wilderness living in solitude, fasting, and praying. It is during this season that many Christians undertake special devotional exercises and focus on preparing their hearts and minds for the joy of Easter morning.
During Lent, on the Sunday before Easter, Palms Sunday is celebrated. This festival commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and marks the beginning of the final week of Jesus’ life before his crucifixion and resurrection. During the festival people may bless and exchange branches of a palm tree, symbolic of the crowds that greeted Jesus when he entered Jerusalem.
The festival of Lent is a solemn time of repentance, fasting and prayer. It is an invitation for Christians to forgo some of their earthly pleasures and to focus on spiritual renewal. While Lent may be a time of sadness and sorrow for many, the joy of Easter morning makes Lent a time of anticipatory joy and hope.
Ascension
Ascension Day is a Christian festival where Jesus’ ascension into heaven is celebrated. Although the Bible does not give exact dates for the feast, it is usually observed at the beginning of May. The festival commemorates Jesus’s presence on earth and his coronation in heaven. This is seen as the ultimate confirmation of his reign as Lord and King of all.
During this festival, Christians gather to read passages of Scripture about Jesus’s life and his ascension, followed by a time of prayer, singing and celebration. In some traditions, it is traditional for worshippers to exchange greeting cards, sharing words of comfort and hope from the Bible. The festival is a celebration of the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission and the assurance of his presence in heaven.
Ascension is an important festival within the Christian faith, not just because it celebrates the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission, but because it serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to those who put their trust in Him. Through the celebration of Ascension Day Christ’s commitment to His people is affirmed and His relationship with them is strengthened.
Holy Week
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, which marks the start of Jesus’s final week in Jerusalem. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and is usually celebrated with special services and mass. During this period there is typically a focus on contemplation and prayer, reflecting on Jesus’s death and resurrection.
During the week there are several memorable days, including Maundy Thursday (the day of the Last Supper) and Good Friday (the day Jesus was crucified). During Holy Week it is traditional for congregations to gather as a group to remember, pray and worship and to mark Good Friday as a day of mourning and reflection. This week of change and renewal also often includes special services, such as washing of feet, for the entire congregation.
Holy Week is one of the most significant times of the year for Christians and marks the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is seen as a time of self-reflection and contemplation and serves to remind us of the great love and sacrifice that Christ made for us.
Harvest
Harvest is a celebration of the end of the working year and the gathering of the year’s crops. This festival typically takes place during the late summer or early autumn in the northern hemisphere, when the fruits and vegetables in the fields are ripe. The Harvest festival is a celebration of abundance, thanksgiving, and giving to those less fortunate.
Harvest is traditionally celebrated with special services and feasts. In many places, churches give out blessed food baskets to their members and provide donations to local food banks to help those in need. Hymns of thanksgiving are often sung during the service and alms are given to those in need. The harvest festival also serves as a reminder that God is a source of sustenance, abundance and love.
Harvest season is a time of abundance, reflection, and giving thanks. Christians traditionally celebrate the abundance of God’s gifts by taking part in special services and activities, and by giving to those who are less fortunate.
