Also, a tradition of giving minted coins to deserving elderly members of the congregation of churches is carried out.
During the service reading from John 13:1-15 after the Holy Communion the Blessed Sacrament is removed and laid on the Altar of Response.
After the service, the Alter is stripped of all its decorations and its coverings are removed- this represents the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples falling asleep and the stripping of Jesus prior to his crucifixion. All music is stopped as well, to show the solemn time about to come.
As this is the day that Jesus was betrayed and arrested, when he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, and his disciples fell asleep and let him down, churches are left open and a vigil is held throughout the night. This vigil involves someone staying awake with the host and praying while they remember the horrific events Jesus faced that night. Having someone stay up all night also shows Christians respect for Jesus and they are trying to ‘put right’ what the disciples did wrong when they fell asleep.
The vigil kept leads into Good Friday, which is a very solemn day as it is the day Jesus was crucified. In most churches fasting happens on this day and is compulsory for those old enough, and quiet services are mainly held during the afternoon, between the hours of noon and three o’clock. This time is used, as the Gospels state this is the time Jesus was dying and darkness covered the land.
The congregation are lead by the priest to the Stations of the Cross; where there are pictures showing events of Jesus’ journey to his death. While doing this Christians meditate and pray.
Some strict, orthodox churches act out a funeral for Jesus, whereby they bury a picture of Jesus.
A person carries out the ceremony of The Veneration of the Cross, which involves them paying respect to the cross Jesus died on. Or the whole congregation pays respect by kneeling before the cross when it is brought into church. Some perform the ceremony individually by going forward, kneeling before the cross and kissing the foot of Christ.
On the next day of Holy week, Holy Saturday, an Easter vigil is held in the late evening, between sunset of this day and the sunrise of Easter Sunday. This vigil is considered to be the most important mass of the liturgical year for Christians. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, and his victory over death.
The vigil begins with the service of light, which lights up the darkness in the church. A fire is lit in the church and a candle called the Easter Pascal Candle is lit from it. Then each person present lights their candles from this candle, until the whole church is filled with singing and celebration.
After this service of light, readings from the Old Testament are read, followed by singing and a proclamation of a Gospel. Sometimes a sermon is preached, and the service of Easter Sunday is completed with the Eucharist taking place.
- Describe how Catholics observe Advent and celebrate Christmas:
Like lent is the time of preparation for Easter, Advent is the time of preparation for Christmas. Advent begins four weeks before the 25th of December, and during this time Christians prepare for the coming of the light into the world- Christ.
John the Baptist is the person who told people that they needed to prepare for Jesus and that the messiah was yet to come, as they were mistaken and thought John was the messiah;
‘I am a voice shouting in the wilderness; prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming! Make a straight road for him!’ (John 1:23-24)
During Advent readings from the bible are read which tell the story of Jesus’ coming and his birth. Also nearer Christmas carol services are held, where songs about Jesus’ birth are sung. They usually accompany nativity plays which are performed by children in primary schools.
In most Christian homes there is an Advent wreath, which is a circle made of evergreens and is made up of five candles; four purple, one rose and one which is in the middle of the wreath.
The four outer candles represent the four weeks of Advent and on the first week the first candle is lit, and then each week after another is lit too. The candles are lit everyday, usually before the family meal and are accompanied with a short prayer.
The candles being lit represent new light- the light of Jesus. The use of the evergreens also has significance; they represent victory over persecution and the pine, holly and yew represent immorality and strength. Also the circular shape of the wreath symbolizes no beginning or end, like the eternity of God. It also shows everlasting life found in Jesus.
The four weeks of advent each represent one thousand years, which totals up to four thousand years from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus.
The Colours of the candles in the wreath give certain messages; the purple mean prayer and penance which are themes of Christmas; the rose candle, which is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, represents rejoicing of Christians whose time for preparation is nearly over.
Many people count down the days leading up to Christmas with an Advent calendar, which is a calendar with twenty-four little doors that can be opened on each day during advent. Behind the doors is usually a picture related to the birth of Jesus or a chocolate.
Around the season of Christmas, other traditions are practiced, such as the giving of gifts and cards. This tradition comes from the kindness and gifts that St. Nicolas gave to the poor man who couldn’t provide for his four daughters, that he was forced into selling one of them. Fortunately, St Nicolas, who was wealthy but was taught not to be selfish or spoilt, gave the man money. He did this each year for four years to save the daughters, and until the last time didn’t let his identity known as he believed only God needed to know his good deed.
The gift giving also celebrates the birth of Jesus, and is linked to when the three kings gave gifts to baby Jesus.
Having a Christmas tree put up in homes is also a custom, and can be linked to the bible through the ‘tree of paradise’, which tempted Adam and Eve. It is also in a triangular shape which has three corners – like the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Also it is made out of Evergreens which are symbolic for being related to the immorality and strength of Jesus.
Celebrations for Christmas day actually begin on Christmas Eve, with the midnight mass. This mass leads into Christmas day, and on Christmas day there are family services held.
On Christmas day, children usually receive gifts and cards – supposedly from St. Nicolas, and families celebrate the day together. It is a day on which everyone usually has a holiday and reunites together as families and celebrates the gracious birth of Christ.
Churches also celebrate the day and put up decorations such as the symbolic evergreen plants.
The season of Christmas for Christians is generally a time in which they help others, especially those in need and the poor, but Christmas day is sometimes used as the day for which they go out and help the poor. They do this in various ways, and some provide food and clothing for the poor. A good example of Christians who do good for others on Christmas day is those who work in hospitals, as Christmas is all to do with the birth and celebration of a life – Jesus’, so working in a hospital where curing and helping others is practiced is a good way of putting Christmas messages into practice.
Some Christians don’t celebrate Christmas as greatly as they do not want to be involved in the commercial side of Christmas and believe that gifts and cards aren’t what Christmas is about, it is more about reflecting and celebrating the day Jesus came into the world.
The story of Jesus’ birth is explained to children through nativity plays, which have a crib in which baby Jesus lays. This use of the crib in the nativity plays in schools and churches helps children learn the story of the birth at Christmas and makes it more enjoyable and understandable for young children.
The season of Advent and Christmas ends on a day known as the Epiphany. This day is usually the 6th of January, and is said to be the day that the three wise men came to visit Jesus. Before this day all decorations are taken down, and the fact that the wise men come to visit Jesus showed the significance of this baby to the people. These men were Jews and they were Kings and they came from far to pay respect to Jesus and bring gifts for him.
This is when the season of his birth ends because the significance of his birth has been recognised and the rest of his life is to be awaited.
A02
Explain how observing Lent and Easter might positively influence a Catholics life
There are many strong and powerful messages behind the ideas of Lent and the observances of it. Fasting is one activity of lent which influences a Catholics life positively, as it teaches them to sacrifice, which makes up for their sins.
When they fast they remember the Jesus fasting and reflect on what Jesus has done for them which makes them grow stronger and believe more in their faith. The fasting also makes up for any sins they commit as it is a form of penance, and they learn what they have done wrong and what they need to do in order to make up for this wrong doing.
It also makes Catholics stronger, as they learn to resist temptations, just how Jesus did in the desert. This self- discipline is what is believed to make a person stronger, which is why Christians duplicate Jesus actions and fast during lent – the denial of luxuries causes them to grow stronger both physically and spiritually – they appreciate what they have more. The sacrifice makes them appreciate what they have in this life and not to get caught up in consumerism and commercialism.
For example, in today’s culture, a Christian will learn to resist things such as drugs, smoking and theft, as sometimes if they are in a gang and others are doing wrong they would follow, but with their strength and faith in their religion they will learn to say no.
The ashes used during lent also give a message which positively influences a Catholic’s life. The ashes are a sign of repentance, and when they are placed on a Catholics forehead, they feel that in order to deserve these ashes they should be truly sorry for their sins and are deeply sorry. They will know that even if others don’t believe that they are sorry, that God is the only one that can judge and will know. To show their remorse even more these ashes will teach them to go and apologise and do charity work in order to make up for any wrong doing. For example, if a Catholic looses their faith and stands by while watching bullying, and then they after realise they were wrong, could show remorse for this sin by helping with Samaritan work- like Jesus, who was a Good Samaritan.
When Catholics recognise the suffering that Christ went through, when they go to the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, they realise what true pain and suffering is and how lucky they are that he did this for them.
They’re reminded of how Christ has died for their sins, so in order to show their thankfulness they realise that they are unworthy and should try to redeem themselves and be forgiven for any sins, in order for them to be ‘cleansed’ and live their lives freely.
Also the love and respect that Christians see that Jesus did for them is an example of how they should live with one another, and how they shouldn’t hold grudges. Instead they should live co-operatively and not hold grudges and show care, which is what Jesus wanted, and is what he said at the Last Supper;
‘A commandment I give you: Love one another As I have loved you, so must love each other’ (John 13:34).
During Lent, Christians are reminded of the coming of the Messiah again to save them from sin. This affects their lives as they realise that they need to prepare, especially during the time of Advent. They also know that they need to go to Confession, so that they are ‘Cleansed’ of their sins for when the Messiah does come, and they will do charity work and help others to redeem themselves.
As Jesus put himself at our service and showed humility when he washed his disciples’ feet, Christians learn from this and put this idea of putting others first and showing humility into practice in their everyday lives. They can do this from little gestures such as letting others go in front of them in queues if they are more in need and opening doors for the elderly, or they can make more powerful gestures such as devoting their lives to charity work and working in third world countries in order to help others. Becoming a prison worker and talking to criminals and helping them redeem themselves is also a good way in which Christians can put themselves at service and show humility, by not thinking themselves more worthy to talk to criminals or people in poverty.
Some Christians also devote their entire lives to serving others; in the war, in monasteries, in care homes, social workers etc.
Lent and Easter help a Catholic realise the significance of their religion, and how finding time for it is important, as money and possessions aren’t worth anything in the afterlife. From remembering The Last Supper they realise that sharing Jesus at the Eucharist is an important ritual, and that celebrating Mass is important. Fitting God into their daily lives, not just at festivals, is what they realise and how they should attend Church services on a weekly basis, as it isn’t much time and that sacrificing this amount of time is nothing really compared to what God does in return.
The story of how Judas betrays Jesus and of how Peter denies knowing Jesus, teach Catholics how any denial of their faith and religion is denial and disrespect to Jesus. During the World War many lied and denied their religion as they weren’t willing to face death for their religion. But those who do die for their religion and stand up for it are those who God will reward and those who show their devotion and respect for Jesus and Christianity.
The sacrifice of his life that Jesus makes on Good Friday influences Christians to sacrifice others before themselves and most importantly, sacrifice their religious beliefs before themselves.
Martin Luther King is and example of someone who, as well as showing humility and service to others, sacrificed his life for equality. He knew what danger he was putting himself into by speaking out against racism, but he knew that teachings in the bible and from Jesus justified his doings.
Ordinary Christians can also make sacrifices for the service of God; giving money to charity monthly, helping out with charity work on holidays or even donating to charity shops.
In I Corinthians 15:13-17, it is stated that the resurrection Is the most important belief of Christianity, and that believing in the resurrection is what makes you a true Christian, as it the main event which shows Jesus’ superiority and him being the son of God. By believing in this resurrection, which is what Easter and Lent focuses on, is what Christians need to believe in, accept and not question in order to be named a Christian. The importance of this belief in the resurrection is emphasised in 1 Corinthians 15:13-17;
‘And if Christ has not been raised…your sins have not been forgiven’
What this quote means is, is that if Christians do not fully believe in the resurrection of Jesus, then the message through lent of their sins being forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus, means nothing and the Christians sins aren’t forgiven, because they do not truly believe their faith to understand that the resurrection is proof of Jesus’ superiority.
This belief in the resurrection leads a Christian onto believing in incarnation, and how God has made us, how Jesus was created as a way for us to get closer to God, and that Jesus was born through a virgin birth for a purpose, which is stated in Luke 1:31-32 ;
‘You will become pregnant and give birth to a son…He will be great and he will be called The Son of the Most High God. The lord God will make him a king…’
A03
‘’Easter is more important to Catholics than Christmas’’ Do you Agree?
Many Christians would agree with this comment, as they believe that the central point belief of being a true Christian believes that Jesus rose from the dead, as this is the hardest belief to believe. They also argue that it is the most important event, as it shows the power Jesus had as the Messiah, as no one but him has ever resurrected. In 1 Corinthians it is stated that if Christians do not believe in the resurrection than all that is preached in the religion of Christianity means nothing, as the resurrection is what makes the religion special to follow, as the belief in it shows the belief in religion true. Continuing the argument for this point of view would be that, although without Christmas there would be no Resurrection, it is not as vital to the religion as Easter for this reason.
But other Christians may argue that God came to us through Jesus at Christmas, and the time in which he is born on Earth is a joyous and significant event in Christianity, as it is when the journey of the Messiah begins. Without this event there would be no resurrection or any of the events that happened during Christ’s life which made us believe he was the Messiah. Also the coming of the three kings to Jesus’ birth is what signifies the importance of him to Christians. The (questionable) virgin birth can also be argued as being as miraculous as the resurrection, as this too shows the significance of Jesus.
Although religiously Easter is supposed to be the most important, because of it being more sorrowful and mournful to the death of Jesus, Christmas is more focused on in modern culture as it is a pleasant occasion. More people get involved in Christmas than Easter - mainly because of things such as presents and cards, that are non-Christian activities, but they still know the story and meaning of Christmas more than Easter.
