ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some basic information about the festivals and fasts of the Christian year which can be used as a factual starting point for both classroom teaching and for stories told in assembly. Advent marks the beginning of the Christian year and is a period of around four weeks immediately prior to Christmas. Perhaps the most popular festival of the Christian faith, at least in the western church, Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. In many churches a feature of the services is the washing of feet, following in the example of Christ. Good Friday is so called only because its effects are good for the world. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, his death and hurried burial. It is the most solemn day of the Christian year. Easter Day is the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ from the dead and for the new life which is promised to his people.
