New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christian celebrations: Advent and Christmas

I can explain the significance of Advent and Christmas for Christians.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christian celebrations: Advent and Christmas

I can explain the significance of Advent and Christmas for Christians.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Many Christian Churches follow the liturgical cycle as a way of organising the year into seasons.
  2. The liturgical cycle identifies important festivals; a festival is a day or period of celebration.
  3. Advent is a four week period of preparation before the birth of Jesus.
  4. Christmas is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus; most Christians celebrate this on the 25th December.
  5. Many Christians celebrate Christmas by attending church services, singing carols, and exchanging gifts.

Keywords

  • Advent - a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus

  • Christmas - a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus

  • Festival - a day or period of celebration, typically for religious reasons

Common misconception

All Christians celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December.

Some Christians, for example Eastern Orthodox Christians, celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Christian celebrations: Advent and Christmas, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to remind students of the meaning and importance of the incarnation prior to beginning this lesson.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Christians believe God is omnipotent, which means all- .

Correct Answer: powerful, Powerful

Q2.
The Apostles’ is a summary of Christian beliefs, including belief in the Trinity.

Correct Answer: Creed, creed

Q3.
What is the Christian belief about the Trinity?

God exists in three separate gods.
Correct answer: God is one being in three persons.
God changes between different forms.

Q4.
What do some Christians believe about the story of the Fall in Genesis?

It is a historical account.
It is a myth with no message.
Correct answer: It may be a non-literal story with deeper meaning.

Q5.
What do Christians believe will happen on Judgement Day?

Correct answer: Jesus will return, and people will be judged.
God will create a new earth immediately.
Only priests will be judged.

Q6.
What is the meaning of grace in Christianity?

Correct answer: a gift from God to help live a good life
a reward for good behaviour
a special prayer said before meals

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The liturgical cycle organises the year into different which include special festivals.

Correct Answer: seasons, Seasons

Q2.
What is the main purpose of Advent for most Christians?

to plan Christmas decorations
Correct answer: to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus
to celebrate the New Year

Q3.
How long does the season of Advent last for most Christians?

Correct answer: four weeks
twelve days
two months

Q4.
The white in the centre of the Advent wreath symbolises Jesus as the light of the world.

Correct Answer: candle, Candle

Q5.
At Christmas, Christians celebrate the , when God became human in the person of Jesus.

Correct Answer: incarnation, Incarnation

Q6.
When do many Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas?

25th December like most other Christians
they do not celebrate Christmas
Correct answer: 7th January, following a different calendar