AY Honors/Christian Festivals/Answer Key

Christian Festivals

Skill Level

1

Year

2025

Version

01.01.2026

Approval authority

Australian Union

1

Define what a Christian festival is. List at least five Christian festivals celebrated around the world and explain their Biblical or historical significance.

This introductory requirement sets the foundation for the entire honor. It ensures that Pathfinders understand what a Christian festival is, why Christians celebrate certain days or seasons, and how these observances connect to the life of Jesus, the Bible, and the global church.

Many Christian festivals are rooted in:

• Key events from the life of Jesus (e.g. birth, death, resurrection)
• Church history (e.g. saints, missionary events)
• Biblical stories of God’s actions in human history
• The Church calendar (e.g. Advent, Lent, Easter, Pentecost)

Encourage participants to explore both biblical and cultural expressions of these festivals. For example, while Easter has deep scriptural roots, it is celebrated differently in Africa, South America, and Europe.

Definition of a Christian Festival
A Christian festival is a special day or season set aside by the Christian Church to remember, celebrate, or reflect on key events in the life of Jesus Christ, the early Church, or God’s relationship with humanity. These festivals are often celebrated with worship, storytelling, music, food, decorations, and acts of service or reflection.

They help Christians grow spiritually, share their faith, and feel connected to the wider Church community.

Examples of Christian Festivals (with Explanation)
You only need to list 5, but here are 10 you can use to allow for diversity:

Festival	Explanation and Biblical/Historical Significance
Christmas	Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:1–20). Central to the Christian story, Christmas reminds believers that God came to live among humans. Common traditions include nativity scenes, gift-giving, and carols.
Easter	Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24). It is the most important festival in Christianity, symbolizing hope, new life, and victory over death. Often includes sunrise services and special songs.
Good Friday	Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus (John 19). A solemn day of reflection, often involving fasting, scripture reading, or re-enactments of the crucifixion.
Palm Sunday	Marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21). Celebrated with palm branches and songs of praise. Begins Holy Week.
Pentecost	Remembers the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples (Acts 2). Seen as the birthday of the Church. Celebrated with songs about the Spirit, flames, and joy.
Epiphany	Celebrated in January, it remembers the visit of the Magi to Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12). In some cultures, it marks the end of the Christmas season.
Advent	A season of waiting for Christ’s birth. The four weeks before Christmas are used for devotion, candle lighting, and preparing hearts for Jesus.
Lent	A 40-day period of reflection and repentance before Easter. Mirrors Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. Often includes fasting, prayer, and acts of kindness.
All Saints' Day	Honors Christians who have lived faithfully and died in Christ. It reminds believers of the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). Often linked with remembering loved ones.
Ascension Day	Celebrates Jesus ascending to heaven 40 days after His resurrection (Acts 1:9–11). A reminder of the promise that He will return.

Teaching Ideas

• Use a large timeline or wheel of the church year to show when each festival occurs.
• Use symbols for each festival (e.g. cross for Easter, star for Christmas, flame for Pentecost).
• Have groups match the festival with the scripture or cultural tradition.
• Compare Christian festivals to Jewish or secular ones — noting how each teaches values or tells a story.

2

Research and present (individually or in a group) on one Christian festival of your choice, including:

• The origin of the festival
• How it is celebrated in different cultures
• Key symbols or traditions associated with it

This task encourages deeper research, creativity, and cultural appreciation. Allow learners to choose a festival that interests them and present their findings using a method of their choice (poster, skit, slide deck, video, group mural, etc.).

Trainers should ensure each presentation covers:

1. Origin – Is it based on a biblical event, historical tradition, or church calendar observance?
2. Cultural Diversity – How do Christians from different backgrounds or countries celebrate it?
3. Symbols & Traditions – What items, foods, songs, or rituals are associated?

Encourage learners to:

• Interview a parent, church member, or missionary
• Use books, websites, and Bible references
• Compare secular vs sacred traditions (especially for holidays like Easter/Christmas)

Trainer Festival Reference Sheet

Here are Trainer Notes on each of the 10 festivals previously listed, to help guide or cross-check student presentations:

1. Christmas

• Origin: Commemorates the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1–20). Began as a Christian response to Roman pagan festivals.
• Celebrations:

» Western churches focus on December 25; Eastern Orthodox often celebrate in January.

» Common customs: Nativity plays, candlelight services, carols, gift-giving.

» In the Philippines: “Simbang Gabi” (night Masses); in Germany: Advent calendars and markets.

• Symbols: Star (Bethlehem), manger, angels, gifts, candles.

2. Easter

• Origin: Celebrates Jesus’ resurrection (Luke 24). Rooted in Jewish Passover; seen as the most important Christian festival.
• Celebrations:

» Sunrise services, church choirs, dramatic re-enactments.

» In Ethiopia: All-night vigils and feasting.

» In Latin America: Street processions with statues and flower carpets.

• Symbols: Cross, empty tomb, lilies, eggs (new life), butterflies.

3. Pentecost

• Origin: Acts 2 — 50 days after Easter, when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples.
• Celebrations:

» Churches may use red decor and flame imagery.

» In Italy: Rose petals are dropped from church ceilings (“Pentecost rain”).

» In Ghana: Outdoor prayer meetings and dancing.

• Symbols: Fire, wind, dove, tongues, red clothing.

4. Good Friday

• Origin: Commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19).
• Celebrations:

» Solemn church services, fasting, quiet reflection.

» In the Philippines: Some take part in processions and real-life crucifixions.

» In Australia: Often observed with hot cross buns and silent services.

• Symbols: Cross, black cloth, crown of thorns, nails.

5. Palm Sunday

• Origin: Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey; people wave palm branches (Matthew 21:1–11).
• Celebrations:

» Palm processions, singing “Hosanna”.

» In Latin America: Weaving palm leaves into intricate shapes.

» In Africa: Drumming and dancing during processions.

• Symbols: Palms, donkey, cloaks on the road.

6. Epiphany

• Origin: Matthew 2:1–12 — The Magi visit Jesus. Symbolises Jesus revealed to the Gentiles.
• Celebrations:

» January 6th, marking the end of the Christmas season.

» In Spain: “Three Kings Day” includes parades and gifts.

» In Orthodox countries: Celebrations include blessing water.

• Symbols: Star, gold/frankincense/myrrh, crown, water.

7. Advent

• Origin: Means “coming” — a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth.
• Celebrations:

» Begins 4 Sundays before Christmas.

» Families light candles weekly on an Advent wreath.

» In Scandinavia: St. Lucia’s Day with candlelight parades.

• Symbols: Advent wreath, purple/pink candles, calendar doors.

8. Lent

• Origin: Based on Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).
• Celebrations:

» Period of self-denial, prayer, and reflection before Easter.

» Begins with Ash Wednesday (ashes on forehead).

» In Brazil: Carnival occurs just before Lent as a “last feast”.

• Symbols: Ashes, sackcloth, fasting, purple.

9. All Saints’ Day

• Origin: Honours faithful Christians who have died.
• Celebrations:

» November 1 in Western churches; the Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern churches.

» In Mexico: Linked with “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) — altars and flowers.

» In Europe: Candle-lighting in cemeteries.

• Symbols: Halo, candle, white robes, cloud of witnesses.

10. Ascension Day

• Origin: Acts 1:9–11 — Jesus ascends to heaven 40 days after the resurrection.
• Celebrations:

» Observed on the 40th day of Easter.

» In some African and European countries, it’s a public holiday.

» Worship often focuses on the Great Commission.

• Symbols: Clouds, Jesus rising, open hands, globe (missions).

Trainer Tips

• Let Pathfinders pick from this list or choose a local tradition if relevant (eg. Indigenous Christian celebration).
• Provide visual aids, eg photos of celebrations in different countries.
• Encourage creative presentations — cooking, crafts, posters, or drama.
• Reinforce that Christianity is global — different cultures express faith in different, beautiful ways.

3

Interview a church leader, family member, community elder, or someone from another culture about their experience with a Christian festival. Record their thoughts on its meaning and how it has changed over time or across culture.

4

Choose one Christian festival and experience a related activity:

• For Christmas: Prepare a nativity scene or make a traditional Christmas decoration
• For Easter: Make unleavened bread or an Easter-themed craft
• For Pentecost: Write a short play or song about the Holy Spirit’s arrival
• For another festival of your choice: Create an appropriate hands-on activity

5

Discuss as a group or write a reflection on how Christian festivals help people strengthen their faith and community bonds.

6

Explore how Christian festivals have influenced modern secular holidays. Provide examples and discuss how some traditions have changed over time.

7

Plan a mini-celebration of a Christian festival with your group, incorporating key traditions, decorations, or storytelling.

Easter

• Skit: Empty tomb discovery
• Food: Bake unleavened bread
• Verse: John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection…”
• Craft: Resurrection cross or butterfly

Pentecost

• Song: “Spirit of the Living God”
• Craft: Red flame hats or paper doves
• Game: “Wind of the Spirit” relay (with balloons or ribbons)
• Verse: Acts 2:1–4

Reflection Prompts After the Event

• What part of the celebration was most meaningful to you?
• Did you learn something new about this festival?
• How can you share this with others?
• Why do you think God gave His people special times to celebrate?

References

• Australian Union Christian Festivals Honor