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Christian Holidays: Facts and History
JUST THE FACTS 
Tags: Christian, Holidays, Facts, History, Valentines, Day, Christmas, Easter, Ash, Wednesday, Sunday, Saint, Patricks, Day
Holidays have been a part of Christianity from the beginning, with Easter being the oldest. However, today, many people probably do not even realize they are celebrating a religious day. For instance, did you know Mardi Gras, a day primarily known for partying was a Christian holiday? And I bet even with the Saint in the title, you never thought it religious while drinking green beer on St. Patty's Day. For more information go to ReligionFacts.com.
| | Mardi Gras - Celebrated on the last day before Lent, this is a day to enjoy one last feast before the 40-day fast. |
| | Advent - The season of Advent (adventus, "coming") marks the beginning of the church year and the approach of Christmas. |
| | Palm Sunday - Palm Sunday is the sixth Sunday of Lent and the last Sunday before Easter. It commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. |
| | Ash Wednesday - The first day of Lent, a period of fasting that leads up to Easter. Its central ritual is placing of ashes on the forehead. |
| | St. Andrew's Day - St. Andrew's Day marks the martyrdom of the apostle Andrew, brother to Saint Peter, and is especially associated with Scottish identity. |
| | Boxing Day - Celebrated in Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, this was when servants and the poor were traditionally given gifts. |
| | St. Patrick's Day - The Catholic feast day that honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated worldwide by the Irish, those of Irish descent, or "Irish for a day." |
| | Christmas - The celebration of the birth of Jesus. The English word "Christmas" derives from the old English Christes maesse, or "Christ's mass." |
| | Sunday - In Christianity, the day of the week devoted to rest and worship is Sunday, or the "Lord's Day." |
| | Easter - Easter is a spring festival that celebrates the resurrection of Christ. It is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year. |
| | Thanksgiving - Celebrates a shared meal between Christian Pilgrims and Native Americans. It is not a religious holiday, but has an interesting, semi-religious history. |
| | Epiphany - The celebration of Epiphany (epiphaneia, "manifestation") recalls the visit of the Magi, symbolizing Christ's manifestation to Gentiles. |
| | Twelfth Night - Made famous by the Shakespearean play, this marks the end of the Christmas season. |
| | Lent - Lent is a 40-day period of fasting and repentance in preparation for Easter. |
| | Valentine's Day - Valentine's Day is a celebration of romantic love. Although associated with a saint, modern Valentine's Day is a non-religious holiday. |
Lister:
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Source:
ReligionFacts.com
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I think putting these in order according to the calanedar would be helpful.Also, you don't explain the non-Christian origins of any of them.
Comment by: mellon
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