Christianity Practices - lent Holy Week and Easter

Question 1

Where are the accounts of Jesus’ birth given ?

Answer 1

In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke

Question 2

What does Matthew record about Jesus’ birth?

Answer 2

It records the coming of the wise men (Magi) to visit Jesus. They gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts have symbolic meanings.

Question 3

What does the gift of gold given by the Magi represent

Answer 3

It represents kingship

Question 4

What does the gift of frankincense given by the magi suggest

Answer 4

It is used in worship and so suggests the presence of God.

Question 5

What does the gift of Myrrh from the magi suggest

Answer 5

Myrrh was a herb used in burials so refers/predicts Jesus death

Question 6

What does the account in Luke tell us about Jesus’ birth?

Answer 6

It tells of the angels appearing to the ordinary Shepard’s in the field and declaring Jesus’ birth to them

Question 7

When does Advent begin?

Answer 7

The fourth Sunday before Christmas

It marks the start of the liturgical church year in Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches

Question 8

What does Advent mean? And what does it suggest?

Answer 8

It means the arrival of that which has been awaited.

Advent in the Church marks the period of waiting for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and also for his second coming

Question 9

Why is Christmas important to Christians?

Answer 9

• it is the celebration of Jesus’ incarnation. By being born as a human, God made a way for humans to be reconciled with him.
• his birth gave humanity hope for a new beginning and the possibility of eternal life with God after death
• Christmas is a time to reflect on the need for peace in the world and is also a time for remembering and helping those less fortunate

Question 10

Why is the Parousia important to Christians and what do they believe about the parousia ?

Answer 10

Christians believe that Jesus will return once more to earth. This is the parousia

Christians believe that Jesus’ second coming will be in glory and he will judge everyone at this time.

• this gives Christians hope and they believe that they must live as Jesus commanded them to.
• they encourage others to share in this faith .

Question 11

How do Christians celebrate Christmas?

Answer 11

At midnight on Christmas Eve, many Christians go to a service of the Eucharist.

On Christmas Day Churches will hold services that celebrate Jesus’ birth. These services include hymns about Jesus birth and readings from the gospels.

Question 12

What is different about the way the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas?

Answer 12

Christmas is celebrated on 7th Jan.

Orthodox Christians fast before this day

They attend a church liturgy on Christmas Day

Question 13

Why is Easter significant?

Answer 13

It recalls how through his death and resurrection Jesus brought about human salvation and gave Christians hope of an eternal life with God.

Question 14

What is Holy Week?

Answer 14

Is is the last week before Jesus’ death

This week follows the main events in the last week of Jesus’ life.

Question 15

What is lent?

Answer 15

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Question 16

What happens in churches fo mark the start of lent?

Answer 16

Worshipper have the sign of the cross marked on their forehead with ashes.

The ashes come from the palm cross burnt during the previous years Easter celebration

The ash is a visual reminder to focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus

Question 17

What is Palm Sunday?

Answer 17

It is the start of Holy Week and is the Sunday before the Easter weekend.

It recalls Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a horse.

Question 18

How is Palm Sunday celebrated today and why is it important

Answer 18

• in churches small crosses made of palm leaves are given out. These are reminders of the palms that people waved as Jesus entered Jerusalem and of his death at the end of that week.
• it is important as it is a time for Christians to reflect upon their own faithfulness to Jesus. The crowds on Palm Sunday were hypocrites as they welcomed him but were then calling for his death.

Question 19

What is Maundy Thursday?

Answer 19

It is a time for Christians to remember Jesus’ Last supper with his disciples
At this meal, Jesus washed their feet, established the Eucharist and predicted that he would be betrayed by one of the disciples.

‘Maundy’ means mandatum so this recalls the commandment that Jesus gave at this meal - to love one another as Christ loved them

Question 20

How is Maundy Thursday marked by Christians today?

Answer 20

Churches hold a service where the minister washes people’s feet

There is a communion service where bread and wine are shared to celebrate Jesus establishing the Eucharist at the last supper and to remember his death.

In England the monarch takes part in the ceremony of the royal Maundy. It involved the distribution of Maundy money by the monarch to senior citizens.

Question 21

Why is Maundy Thursday Important?

Answer 21

It is a reminder that Jesus came to serve and that they should follow his example.

By washing his disciples feet Jesus took on the role of a servant and thus reminds Christians to be humble and willing to serve others.

Jesus’ prediction of his own betrayal and death are significant points of reflection for Christians.

Question 22

What is good Friday?

Answer 22

It remembers Jesus’ crucifixion and is a time for serious reflection.

Question 23

How is good Friday marked by Christians today?

Answer 23

Special services are held to give people the opportunity to mediate in Jesus’ death and the sin of humanity.

Main service begins at midday and lasts for 3 hours reflecting Jesus’ time on the cross.

The service includes reading accounts from his crucifixion and singing hymns .

Question 24

Why is Good Friday important?

Answer 24

Jesus’ death was Gods redemptive act. Without Jesus’ death the debt of sin owned BT’s humans to God would still be unpaid and they wouldn’t be able to have a relationship with God.

Jesus’ death is Gods greatest act of mercy to humanity because he sacrifices his own son for Humanity. This allows Christians to consider the depth of Gods love for humans.

Christians can reflect on their own life and sins seeking Gods forgiveness and strength. Jesus’ death is also a reminder that God understands Human suffering.

Question 25

How are Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday celebrated ?

Answer 25

There is an Easter vigil in churches on Saturday evening. The whole story of salvation is read.

Churches will be fully decorated
The congregation meet outside the church and a bonfire is lit.

A Paschal candle is brought out and the minister puts 5 pieces of incense on it - each piece represents one of the 5 wounds Jesus recieved on the cross. The candle is it.

Each member of the congregation will have a smaller candle lit from the Paschal candle to hold during the Eucharist.

In Anglican churches the minister will wear white

Hymns are sung celebrating Jesus triumph over death.

Question 26

Why is Easter Sunday important?

Answer 26

It is important as Jesus’ resurrection is what enables them to say they have been saved by God. It also gives them hope of an eternal life with God after death. The gap between God and Human made by Adam and Eve were overcome and heaven is open to humans again.