FESTIVALS
Major Dates In The Christian Calendar
Christian holidays are observed during the year by the majority of Christian churches.
Feast days commemorate joyous occasions such as Christ's advent, while fast days offer an occasion for introspection and repentance.
Certain Christian holidays have a sizable influence on western society and customs.
Christian Celebrations
Easter is the earliest and most significant Christian holiday; it occurs in the spring and commemorates Jesus Christ's return from the dead. Originally, this occurrence was observed every Sunday (dubbed "Lord's Day").
Holy Week, which comprises Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, immediately precedes Easter. The forty days before Easter are known as the Lenten season, which is a time of fasting and repentance.
Another significant holiday is Christmas, which commemorates Jesus' birth on December 25. (January 6 in Orthodox Churches).
Bible Quote
So, then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything to God’s glory.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Easter and Christmas Rooted in Paganism
The majority of Christians who observe Easter and Christmas freely accept that such holiday customs were appropriated from older pagan practices. For certain Christians, the holiday's affiliation with older faiths is a warning to abstain from celebrating.
Others simply acknowledge that the historical parallels are irrelevant and the religious meaning of these holidays (holy days) now preempts anything people may have said or done previously.
The majority of Christians who observe these festivals are unconcerned with their ancient heritage, as these pagan rites have been resurrected with the advent of Christ.
Many people are more worried about the growing commercialization of holidays, especially Christmas. The further emphasis placed on gifts, the less emphasis placed on Christ's creation.
Young children, in particular, maybe more consumed with the gifts and overlook the significance of the Savior's conception, which, as many Christians are aware, did not take place in December.
Nowhere in the Bible is Christmas mentioned and there is no evidence that Jesus was born on 25th December.
Christmas
Christmas is a day where Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom they say is the Son of God. The term 'Christmas' originates from Christ's Mass. (or Jesus).
A Mass service (occasionally referred to as Communion or Eucharist) is a time for Christians to reflect on Jesus' death for us and subsequent resurrection.
Since the only service permitted after twilight (and before daylight the next day) was the 'Christ-Mass,' people had it at Midnight! As a result, we get the word Christ-Mass, abbreviated as Christmas.
Whereabouts in the Bible is Christmas referenced? There is nowhere. That in and of itself can convey a message. You'd expect that if Christmas is such a significant religious Holy Day, it will get a bit more attention or acknowledgement of God's Word.
Jesus' birth is stated in Scripture—but not the precise date. If the date of birth of Christ was significant to the first-century Church, wouldn't you think we'd find proof of it in the early writings?
To be sure, for the first 200 years of Early Christianity, we can not see Christians celebrating Christ's birthday in any way. This breakthrough occurred in the 3rd and 4th centuries after Christ. Even then, the establishment of Christ's birthday as a major Christian holiday was contentious.
Rooted in Paganism
To begin, it is necessary to identify Christianity and Paganism. Paganism is defined differently by each person.
According to others, paganism is any faith that is not one of the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Christianity, or Judaism), although others define it as a polytheistic religion that aims to restore the ancient ways of our forefathers.
Paganism is a broad concept that encompasses a variety of faiths, including Wicca, Neo-paganism, Asatru, Celtic reconstructionism, Indigenous beliefs, Hellenic paganism, Druidry, and witchcraft. Others argue that paganism is synonymous with satanism, which is false, but as I previously said, it is all depending on who you ask.
Christianity's origins are entwined with ancient pagan practices and elements, owing to the Church's transformation to authority.
To convert the inhabitants of Europe (and the rest of the world) from their pagan practices, the Church believed they ought to either fear them or incorporate their pagan beliefs into the Christian faith.
In 325 AD, the Council of Nicea established the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox as the date for Easter.
As a result, the date will vary each year, falling between March 22 and April 25.
Easter
The term "Easter" does not appear in the Bible, and there is no reference in the Scripture of early church festivities of Christ's resurrection. Easter, like Christmas, is a later-developed Christian tradition.
As the most solemn and significant commemoration of Jesus Christ's return, it's sad that many Easter customs have pagan connections and secular commercialization. As a result, many Christian churches refer specifically to Easter as Resurrection Day.
What is the Holy Week?
For Christians internationally, Easter is a time to celebrate and acknowledge Jesus Christ's return from the dead, as well as His glorious promises of everlasting life for those who trust in Him.
Christians commemorate the circumstances leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and, according to their religion, his Resurrection during Holy Week. The week is highlighted by five days of importance.
1. The first is Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' gracious entrance into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (on a donkey). According to the Gospels, he was welcomed by crowds who spread their robes and lay palm leaves in his direction, proclaiming him the Son of David (Matthew 21:5).
2. Palm Sunday is commemorated in many Christian churches with a blessing and palm procession.
3. Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus' establishment of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, which is a core part of the Christian faith. Maundy Thursday is commemorated in Roman Catholicism by the pope bathing the feet of 12 humble or impoverished individuals, in imitation of Jesus cleaning the feet of his 12 disciples at the Last Supper.
4. Good Friday symbolizes Jesus' crucifixion and death; it is generally observed as a day of mourning, penance, and fasting. Holy Saturday, alternatively known as Easter Vigil, marks the conventional conclusion of Lent.
5. Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus' Resurrection, which occurred, according to the Gospels, on the third day after his death on the cross.
What Is Easter?
Easter, without a doubt, is one of the most significant holidays on the Christian calendar, commemorating our Lord Jesus Christ's Rebirth. Three days after his crucifixion, resurrection, and burial, he emerged from the grave.
Through doing so, he defeated death and, if we trust in Him, saved us from sin. As this report would demonstrate, Easter did correspond with a number of pagan holidays.
Since the church did not begin celebrating Easter until a certain stage, owing to the persecution the church endured over the first few decades, the Christian conception of the holiday occurred concurrently with another pagan festival.
Nonetheless, we aspire to rejoice in God's triumph over death on this holiday. In this post, we'll look at the definition of the term Easter, the holiday's pagan connections, and what the holiday signifies to Christians today.
Nonetheless, Easter did not always symbolize Christ's return from the dead, and its intention was somewhat different from what Christians celebrate today.
Easter was originally a pagan festival of renewal and regeneration. It was dedicated in the early spring to the pagan Saxon goddess Eastre.
When early Christian missionaries converted the Saxons to Christianity, the spring holiday was combined with the pagan festival and then became regarded as Easter. Easter's definition was also altered to reflect the current Christian connotation.
Other Notable Christian Festivals.
Epiphany
Epiphany, or the unveiling of the infant Jesus as the Son of God, is generally observed on 6 January.
Lent
Lent is the forty-day cycle preceding Easter that begins on Ash Wednesday.
During Lent, Christians may fast or abstain from certain daily activities in order to devote time to self-examination and reflection on their union with Christ.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day celebrates Jesus' ascension into heaven 40 days after his death and resurrection.
It is generally interpreted as his ascension into heaven at the end of his earthly ministry.
Season of Pentecost.
Pentecost is a Christian holiday commemorating the blessing of the Holy Spirit.
It is observed fifty days after Easter on a Sunday. Whitsun is another name for Pentecost.
Trinity Sunday.
Trinity Sunday is a day on which Christians reflect on the existence of God instead of commemorating significant historical events, as most festivals do.
Advent.
Advent refers to the four weeks before Christmas. Advent is divided into four Sundays.
The term "Advent" refers to the "coming" or "arrival" of Jesus, which is commemorated at Christmas.
Christingle is a special child's service that may be performed around Advent, Christmas, or Epiphany.
Seven Jewish Festivals of The Bible
The True Festivals Jesus Celebrated.
As previously said, Christmas and Easter are not biblical holidays but are rooted in ancient practices established years after Christ's death.
Here are 7 biblical festivals that Jesus must have observed.
Trumpets
Trumpets – This is the first feast of the autumn season. Many conclude that this day heralds the Church's Rapture, as the Messiah Jesus will appear in the heavens on His way to claim His bride, the Church.
The Rapture is often synonymous with the sounding of a trumpet in Scripture.
Days of Unleavened Bread.
Unleavened Bread – Alludes to the Messiah's sinless existence (as leaven is a metaphor for sin in the Bible), which qualifies Him as the ideal salvation for our crimes.
Throughout the first days of this feast, Jesus' body lay in the tomb, like a grain of wheat rooted and ready to break out as the bread of creation.
Pentecost.
Pentecost – happened fifty days after the Feast of Unleavened Bread began and foreshadowed the great harvesting of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit both for Jew and Gentile who would enter the kingdom of God during the Church Age.
On this day, God poured out His Holy Spirit, and 3,000 Jews reacted to Peter's brilliant sermon and the first declaration of the gospel.
Day of Atonement.
Day of Atonement – Many say this prophetically refers to the day of Jesus' Resurrection.
That'll be the Day of Atonement for the remnants of the Jews, as they "look upon Him whom they have pierced," repent of their sins and accept Him as their Messiah.
The Feast of Tabernacles.
Tabernacles or Booths – According to certain historians, this feast day alludes to the Lord's vow that He will again "tabernacle" with His subjects as He comes to rule over the whole earth.
The First Fruits.
First Fruits – The Messiah's resurrection was referred to as the first fruits of the righteous.
On this same day, Jesus was revived, and is one of the reasons Paul relates to him as the "first fruits from the dead."
Passover.
Passover foreshadowed the Messiah as our Passover lamb, whose blood will be shed in atonement for our sins.
Jesus was crucified during the Passover season. Christ is a "blemished or imperfect lamb" since His life was sinless.
As the first Passover signified the Hebrews' liberation from Egyptian bondage, Christ's death signifies our liberation from the slavery of sin.
What Are The Biblical Feasts?
Although Christians are not expected to observe Jewish feast days, it is desirable to do so. Certainly, celebrating these days can be helpful if they result in a deeper comprehension and reverence for Christ's death and regeneration, as well as the potential hope of His coming.
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