The role and importance of celebrations

Question 1

When and what is advent?

Answer 1

Begins on the 4th Sunday before a Christmas Day and marks the start of the liturgical Church year in RC and Anglican churches.

Question 2

What does Advent mark?

Answer 2

‘Advent’ = arrival of that which has been waited. Marks the period of waiting for both the celebration of jesus’ brith and for his second coming (Parousia).

Question 3

How is Advent celebrated?

Answer 3

May have advent wreaths with 4 candles on them and each Sunday in the Advent period, one of the candles will be lit. May use this time to spiritually get ready for Christmas, giving time to prayer and seeking God’s forgiveness.

Question 4

What do services involve on Christmas Day?

Answer 4

To celebrate Jesus’ birth, services include carols (hymns about his birth), readings from the gospels and nativity plays.

Question 5

When is Christmas celebrated in the Orthodox Church?

Answer 5

On the day when it is believed that Magi visited Jesus - 7th January.

Question 6

What does Orthodox Christians do?

Answer 6

Fast before Christmas Day. Believed that fasting helps people shift their focus from themselves to others, so they spend less time worrying about food and more in increased prayer and caring for the poor. Enables them to enjoy, appreciate and celebrate the birth of Christ.

Question 7

Why is Christmas important to Christians?

Answer 7

The celebration of Jesus’ incarnation. By being born as a human, God made the way for humans to be reconciled to himself.

Question 8

What do Christians believe about his birth?

Answer 8

Christians believe his birth gives humanity hope for a new beginning, The possibility of a restored personal relationship with god and the hope of eternal life with him after death.

Question 9

Matthew 1:18-22

Answer 9

‘Do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will have a son, and you will name him Jesus because he will save people from their sins.’

Question 10

What and when is Easter?

Answer 10

Takes place at the end of the Holy Week. Christians use this time to gain a deeper understanding of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. This week follows the main events in the last week of Jesus’ life.

Question 11

What is the period of 40 days before this week called?

Answer 11

Lent - Orthodox, RC and Church of England Christians keep this period.

Question 12

What do Christians use the period of Lent for?

Answer 12

Time of fasting. In doing this they are recalling the gospel accounts of when after his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert.

Question 13

Ash Wednesday

Answer 13

Special Eucharist services on Ash Wednesday to mark the start of Lent. In these services worshippers will have the sign of the cross marked on their forehead with ashes, a visual reminder of death and resurrection of Jesus.

Question 14

What are the days of the Holy Week?

Answer 14

Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday.

Question 15

What is Palm Sunday?

Answer 15

• Start of Holy Week, Sunday before Easter weekend.
• Recalls Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem where crowds welcomed him shouting Hosanna (save now) and waving palm branches.

Question 16

How is Palm Sunday celebrated?

Answer 16

Small crosses made of palm leaves are given out. Used as a reminder of the palms that people waved at Jesus and his death on the cross at the end of the same week.

Question 17

What is Maundy Thursday?

Answer 17

Maundy = commandment
Recalls the commandment that Jesus gave his disciples at the last supper to love one another, just as he had loved them. Important as it is a reminder that Jesus came to serve and that they should follow his example.

Question 18

What happened at the last supper?

Answer 18

Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. At this meal Jesus established the Eucharist and predicted he would be betrayed by one of his disciples.

Question 19

What happens on Good Friday?

Answer 19

Remembers Jesus’ crucifixion. Special services held to give people the opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ death. Main service begins at midday and lasts for 3 hours to reflect jesus’ time on the cross. In many denominations e.g. RC, worshippers move around the church, stopping at 14 stations of the cross and taking time to pray at each one.

Question 20

What is Jesus’ death considered?

Answer 20

God’s greatest act of mercy to humanity because he redeemed the human race with the sacrifice of his own son on the cross. Christians are able to consider the depth of God’s love for humans.

Question 21

What is celebrated on Easter weekend?

Answer 21

Jesus’ resurrection and victory over sin.

Question 22

What do CofE and RC and others do on the Saturday evening?

Answer 22

Keep an Easter vigil. A special candle known as the Paschal candle is brought out and the minister puts 5 drops of incense on it. Each drop represents on of the 5 wounds Jesus received on the cross. Each member of the congregation has a small candle lit from the Paschal candle and hold it during the Eucharist.

Question 23

Why is Easter weekend the most important?

Answer 23

For all Christians Jesus’ resurrection is what enables them to say they have been saved by God.

Question 24

Bible story’s to ready to become familiar with

Answer 24

Birth narratives in Luke 2:1-20
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 26:17-29
Matthew 28:1-10