AY Honor Christian Festivals Answer Key

Christian Festivals

Skill Level

1

Year

2025

Version

23.10.2025

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

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.

References

• Australian Union Christian Festivals Honor