Click on banner to go to Church home page
Faith and Worship, the love and worship of God

Main links

Church home page Home
Our beliefs, worship on the web, interfaith and come to Church Faith & worship
Perspectives on personal, political and ethical issues Church in society
Mission at home and abroad, social care and evangelism

Mission & care

All Church ministries, parish assistance and team ministry Guide to ministry
Bible stories, children and youth services and safeguarding unit Young people
History, structure, administration, Assembly overview and the Moderator Organisation
News, events, webcasts and image gallery Newsroom
Publications, newsletters, funding, advice and education material Resources
Books, gifts and subscriptions Shop
Interactive map to help get in touch Contact us

For staff, office bearers and ministries Extranet area

 

Worship on the Web

Worship on the Web logo

GUIDE TO CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS

Introduction

This is a introduction to the festivals and seasons of the Christian year. Some, like Christmas Day, happen on the same date every year, while others move around within a range of dates. The main festival that moves is Easter, and since many other festivals have their dates fixed in relation to Easter, they move with it. For this moveable dates in the Christian calendar until 2010, click here.

During these seasons, worship material including hymns, readings and prayers will be included on our Starters for Sunday pages. You can download an information page about each of the festivals listed below in Word [.doc], rich text [.rtf] and text only [.txt] formats.

Season of Advent
Season of Christmas
Season of Epiphany
Season of Lent
Holy Week

Season of Easter
Ascension Day
Season of Pentecost
Trinity Sunday
Overview of Festivals

Season of Advent

Image of Advent candles (copyright freephoto.com) Advent is the four week period before Christmas. There are four Sundays in Advent. The word 'Advent' means 'coming' or 'arrival' and in this case points towards the birth of Jesus celebrated at Christmas. One special service involving children is called Christingle and can be held during Advent, Christmas or Epiphany.

Download the guide to Advent:

word icon
[.doc]
(31KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(254KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(2KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

Season of Christmas

The season of Christmas begins on the 25 December and traditionally lasts twelve days ending on 5 January. Christmas is the time when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Download the guide to Christmas:

word icon
[.doc]
(29KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(45KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(4KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

Season of Epiphany

The Epiphany, or revelation, of the baby Jesus as the Son of God come into the world, is traditionally celebrated on the 6 January.

Download the guide to Epiphany:

word icon
[.doc]
(28KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(44KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(3KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

Season of Lent

Lent is the 40 day period before Easter beginning with Ash Wednesday. During Lent Christians may fast, or give up some of their usual routine, to give time to personal examination and to reflect on their relationship with God. You can download a brief guide to Lent below, or visit our fortnightly features area online here to read a comprehensive introduction to the Season of Lent from the Office for Worship.

Download the guide to Lent:

word icon
[.doc]
(29KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(153KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(2KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

Holy Week

Holy Week follows the end of Lent. It is the week preceding Easter and the period in the Christian year when Christians remember the last week in Jesus' life. There are four main holy days during Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Download the guide to Holy Week:

word icon
[.doc]
(48KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(482KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(9KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

 

Season of Easter

Easter is the season in which Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is the most important festival in the Christian year.

Photograph of Easter cross at sunset (copyright freephoto.com)
Download the guide to Easter:

word icon
[.doc]
(31KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(232KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(2KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

Ascension Day

Image of sunlight breaking through clouds (copyright freephoto.com) Ascension Day commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven 40 days after his resurrection from the dead, and can be understood traditionally as his taking up into heaven at the conclusion of his earthly ministry.

Download the guide to Ascension Day:

word icon
[.doc]
(31KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(253KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(1KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

Season of Pentecost

Pentecost is the festival when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the Sunday fifty days after Easter. Pentecost is also known as Whitsun.

Download the guide to Pentecost:

word icon
[.doc]
(31KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(287KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(2KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday is a day when Christians think of the nature of God rather than, as with other festivals, commemorating historical events of special significance.

Download the guide to Trinity Sunday:

word icon
[.doc]
(25KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(40KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(1KB)

 

 

[top of page]

line

Overview of Festivals

An overview of the Christian Festivals throughout the year is given here.

Download the overview of the Christian Festivals:

word icon
[.doc]
(41KB)

rtf icon
[.rtf]
(76KB)

text icon
[.txt]
(5KB)

 

 

 

  [top of page]

 

In this section

Introduction
Welcome to Worship on the Web from the Church of Scotland

Pray Now
A prayer each day for reflection and awareness

Starters for Sunday
Suggested readings, prayers, hymns and songs for Sunday worship

Prayer Focus
Prayer diary from the World Mission Council highlighting the challenges influencing our partners worldwide

Thoughts for the day
Occasional inspiring thoughts, prayers and devotions from the councils, committees and departments of the Church

Worship in Scots
A range of Scots i the Kirk worship resources and reflections for throughout the year

On this day
A month-by-month guide to remembering and celebrating key figures from history

Life events and the Church
Worship and services guide for major life events such as child blessings, Baptisms, weddings and funerals

Guide to Christian festivals
The festivals and seasons of the Christian year

Reflection for special events
A guide to prayers and worship for major UK and international events

Books for worship
Information about the Church's books of hymns, services and resources for public worship

Music for worship
Resources providing help and advice for using music in worship

 

Related areas

Faith
Find our more about our faith, beliefs and aims

 

home | search | help | latest | resources | shop | contact us
© The Church of Scotland