Holidays and Customs and their origins tell us what is important in a culture
Most holidays throughout the world provide opportunities for families and friends to get together to visit, eat, exchange good wishes and enjoy each other’s company and hospitality
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
• Britain remains mainly a Christian nation, however many do not go to church to worship
• Many other religions• Christian festivals are observed but
adapted to fit needs of a secular society• Non-Christians and Christians
participate in activities for Christmas and Easter
CHRISTMAS
• December 25• Biggest and best loved holiday• Schools, businesses, and offices
close• Celebration of birth of Jesus Christ-
Christmas mass-worship service. Son of God to save the world from sin
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
• Exchange gifts and cards• Holiday foods• Decorating homes/workplace• Christmas trees• Christmas lights/ornaments
SPECIAL BRITISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
• Christmas Pantomime-Panto a comical musical play based on traditional children’s story, with main character the “principal boy” played by a young woman
• Queen’s Christmas message/past year & hopes
• Boxing Day-day after Christmas/old custom for servants-now sales, food etc. most people don’t know why
EASTER
• FOR CHRISTIANS MOST IMPORTANT CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL
• COMMEMORATES THE CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS AND THE PROMISE THAT THOSE WHO BELIEVE WILL DIE BUT BE RESURRECTED TO LIVE WITH GOD IN HEAVEN FOREVER
• MANY ATTEND CHURCH FOR THIS HOPE• MANY CELEBRATE THE SECULAR THINGS
GIFTS, CANDY, EASTER BUNNY, ETC.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
• Queen’s birthday• Known as “Trooping the Colour”• Second Saturday in June• Buckingham Palace in London• Like a National Day
SAINT PATRICKS DAY
• Northern Ireland• Catholics• Patron Saint of Ireland-St Patrick• March 17• SP lived 5th century btb one who
brought Christianity to Ireland• Tradition-drove out snakes or evil and
used three leaf clover/shamrock to explain Christian Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to Pagans Irish
Hogmanay
• Scotland• New Years Eve• First footing – first person to visit
home bring luck. Young, dark haired and handsome brings extra good luck-party
HALLOWEEN
• Halloween – Oct. 31• Great feast of Pagan Celts• Arrival of winter• Some believe can commune with
the dead• Mischief• Fortune-telling & masquerades
EISTEDDFOD
• WALES• CELTIC WORD-MEANS GATHERING• PEOPLE RECITE VERSES• SING SONGS• TO HELP CONTINUE WELSH LANGUAGE
AS IT IS DISAPPEARING
MANY CELEBRATIONS AND HOLIDDAYS
• DIFFERENT CULTURES• DIFFERENT HISTORIES• SOME HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME• SOME ANCIENT PAGAN
TRADITIONS ADOPTED BY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
CONCLUSION
• YOU MIGHT SEE:• WELSH CELEBRATE BURNS NIGHT• LONDONERS WATCH DRAGON DANCES AT
CHINESE NEW YEAR• MUSLIMS ENJOY CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS• CHRISTIAN SHOPPING ON BOXING DAY• SUCH HOLIDAYS SHOW CULTURES
CHANGE/INFLUENCE EA. OTHER• OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE RICH CULTURAL
HERITAGE OF UK