Christian Festivals (practices) Flashcards
What is Christmas?
• What it celebrates: Birth of Jesus Christ (incarnation).
• When: 25th December (Western churches).
What’s the importance of Christmas?
• Celebrates God becoming human
• Shows Jesus as a saviour
• Time of joy, giving, and reflection
What is Easter?
• What it celebrates: Jesus’ death (crucifixion) and resurrection.
• Key days:
• Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem
• Maundy Thursday: Last Supper
• Good Friday: Crucifixion
• Easter Sunday: Resurrection
How is Easter celebrated?
• Church services, vigils, processions
• Lighting Paschal candle
• Easter eggs (symbol of new life)
Pray fast give
How is Christmas celebrated?
• Nativity plays and services
• Midnight Mass
• Giving gifts (reminder of the Magi’s gifts)
• Decorations and carols
• Bible readings
What is the importance of Easter?
• Jesus spending 40 days in the desert
• Victory over sin and death
• Basis of Christian hope and salvation
What is advent?
• What it is: Time of preparation for Christmas.
• When: Begins 4 Sundays before Christmas.
Why is advent important
• It prepares Christians for the coming of Jesus (his birth at Christmas and his second coming).
• It is a time of reflection, prayer, and spiritual readiness.
• It builds hope, expectation, and anticipation.
• It reminds Christians of the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies.
• It encourages repentance and renewal of faith.
• It helps Christians focus on the meaning of Christmas, not just the commercial side.
How is advent celebrated?
• Advent calendars and wreaths
• Readings about hope, prophecy, and coming of the Messiah
What is lent?
40 days of fasting and repenting before Easter
How is lent celebrated
• Fasting or giving something up (e.g. sweets, social media)
• Prayer and reflection
• Charity – giving to others (linked to self-sacrifice)
• Church services (especially on Ash Wednesday and during Holy Week)
• Ashes on forehead on Ash Wednesday (symbol of repentance)
Why is lent important?
• Remembers Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert
• Encourages self-discipline, repentance, and spiritual growth
• Helps Christians prepare for Easter (Jesus’ death and resurrection)
• A time to renew faith and turn away from sin
• Connects believers to Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice
Quote for advent and Christmas
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” - prophecy about Jesus being our salvation
What is salvation?
Being saved from sin
What is atonement?
Doing something to be saved from sin (action)
Quote for lent
“He was tempted by the devil for 40 days”
What is Maundy Thursday?
Remembers last supper
“This is my body…”
What is Good Friday?
Remembers Jesus’ death through crucifixion
“Fathers in your hands i place my spirit”
What is Easter Sunday?
Remembers Jesus’ resurrection?
“Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive”
