Christmas
Christmas celebrates the birth of The central figure of Christian history and devotion. The second person of the Trinity., as described in the The teachings of Jesus and the apostles. of Matthew and Luke. The exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown, but the Western Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December and the A branch of Christianity, eg the Church in Greece. celebrates it on 6 January.
Advent
Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. In Western Christianity, Advent includes the four Sundays before Christmas Day. In Eastern Christianity, Advent begins in mid-November. The word comes from the Latin ‘adventus’, which means ‘arrival’. During this period, Christians prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth or ‘arrival’ at Christmas. The last day of Advent is Christmas Eve.
What happens during Advent?
Image caption, Christians count down to Jesus’ arrival using an Advent wreath and four candles - one to symbolise each of the four Sundays in Advent
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Celebration of Christmas
Christmas is seen as a time for generosity and for thinking about the needs of others. Churches run events to provide food and temporary shelter to people in need.
In the UK, Christmas is celebrated in both a religious and a Unconnected with religion. way. There are church services with carols on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day is a national holiday on which many Christians attend church services to thank God for his gift of Jesus. Many people, including non-religious people and people of other faiths, have parties with food and gifts. Christmas is sometimes criticised for being too Associated with business and profit..
Question
What event do Christians celebrate at Christmas?
The incarnation (birth) of Jesus.
