Christian Festivals: Celebrating God’s Story

Christian festivals, often called feast days (joy) and fast days (introspection), are annual traditions that help believers reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Major Christian Celebrations

The two most significant Christian observances today are Christmas and Easter, both of which are rooted in later Church tradition rather than explicit biblical command.

Christmas

• Focus: The Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

• Key Season: Advent (The four weeks leading up to Christmas, focusing on the "coming" or arrival of Christ).

Easter

• Focus: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our victory over death.

• Key Season: Lent (The forty days before Easter, a time of fasting, repentance, and self-examination). Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Good Friday) immediately precedes Easter.

A Note on History: It is widely accepted that many customs associated with Christmas and Easter (like the date of December 25th or the term "Easter") were adopted and transformed by the early Church from older pagan practices to help convert people. For most Christians today, the religious meaning—the commemoration of Christ—has entirely superseded any ancient roots.

“So, then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything to God’s glory.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Other Notable Christian Seasons

Beyond the two major feasts, Christians observe seasons that highlight key events in the New Testament:

• Epiphany (Jan 6): Commemorates the "unveiling" of Jesus as the Son of God to the world (often associated with the visit of the wise men).

• Ascension Day: Celebrates Jesus' ascension into heaven, occurring 40 days after His resurrection.

• Pentecost: Observed 50 days after Easter, commemorating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples (Acts 2), which marks the birthday of the Church.

The True Festivals Jesus Celebrated

The original festivals in the Bible—the Feasts of the Lord—were celebrated by Jesus Himself. While Christians are not commanded to observe them today, they provide a deep understanding of God’s plan, as they prophetically foreshadowed Jesus’ work:

1. Passover

• Jesus’ Fulfillment: His Crucifixion.

• Prophetic Meaning: Foreshadowed the Messiah as our perfect sacrifice, whose blood was shed for our sins. Liberation from the slavery of sin.

2. First Fruits

• Jesus’ Fulfillment: His Resurrection.

• Prophetic Meaning: Jesus was revived on this day, becoming the "first fruits from the dead." The promise of future resurrection for all believers.

3. Pentecost

• Jesus’ Fulfillment: The Holy Spirit.

• Prophetic Meaning: Fifty days later, the Holy Spirit was given, fulfilling the prophecy of the great harvest of souls. The birth of the Church and the indwelling of the Spirit.

Understanding these original feasts enriches a Christian’s appreciation for the perfection of God's redemptive plan throughout history.