Festivals

What is a festival?• A celebration of cultural values• Remembering historical events• A time for families,

neighbourhoods and nations to come together

“Festivals remind successive generations of where they came from and the great stories that define them”

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Festivals: a faith challenge

• Christmas• Hallowe’en• Eid (Muslim holiday)• Inti Raymi (Inca festival of

the sun)• Music festival• Carnival• Chinese New Year

• Q: Would you join in with these festivals?

• Q: What are your reasons for participating in some festivals but not others?

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Festivals: a faith challengeFestivals can provide a bridge into another community.

Q: Are there communities in your local area which you are currently disconnected from?

“Community matters to a triune God”

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Festivals: a faith challenge

Attendance vs participationRespect other people’s faith, but decline joining in anything contrary to your beliefs.

Replacement vs fulfilment theologyAim to eradicate ‘evil’ practices and replace with Christian valuesor Highlight what is good and true in other faith festivals

“A religion is a complete way of life... we could not fully join in our neighbour’s festival even if we wished to”

Jesus and festivals

Jesus was familiar with festivals, feasts, parties and banquets. He used the festive rituals to demonstrate his message.

• Water pouring ceremony at the Feast of Tabernacles – “Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7: 37-38)

• Sharing the Passover bread – “This is my body” (Matt 26: 26)

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UK FestivalsQ: What local cultural events are happening where you

live?

Q: Can you see any symbolism in these festivals that relate to Jesus’ message? How can you show this to others?