12.5 Church holy days

12.5 Church holy days The New Apostolic Church celebrates the following holy days, the importance of which is emphasised by a special divine service. Regional differences are taken into account. 12.5.1 Christmas Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and thus refers to one of the central events in the history of salvation: Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born by the virgin Mary. Through the appearance of Christ on earth, God abased Himself by taking on flesh in Jesus Christ (John 1: 14). The manifold promises in the Old Testament in reference to the ex- pected Messiah were thereby fulfilled. Our commemoration of this miracle of the first coming of the Son of God, which cannot be grasped by the intellect, also reinforces our belief in His imminent return. 12.5.2 Palm Sunday Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Passion Week. This festive day re- minds us of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the occasion of the Jewish feast of Passover: in fulfilment of a prophecy by Zechariah, the Lord entered the city riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9: 9). He was triumphantly received by the people, who professed that Jesus was the Messiah and Saviour by shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew 21: 9). 12.5.3 Good Friday On Good Friday, we commemorate the crucifixion and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Since His sacrifice, suffering, and death are of central import- ance to the history of salvation, several languages also refer to this day as “Holy Friday”. Through His sacrificial death, the Son of God broke Satan’s 441 12 Divine service, acts of blessing, and pastoral care power and overcame death (Hebrews 2: 14). Being without sin, He took man- kind’s sin upon Himself and, through His blood, obtained the merit by which all sin and guilt can be paid. There is no clearer proof of God’s love for man- kind than Jesus’ sacrifice (1 John 4: 9–10). The events of Good Friday marked a turning point in God’s plan of salvation: the old covenant was concluded and the new covenant began. When the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn in two at Christ’s death, it became clear that God had now granted mankind salvation and fellowship with Himself. 12.5.4 Easter This feast is a commemoration of the fact that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ took place on the first day of the week, on Sunday. Therefore the early Christians celebrated Holy Communion in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection on the first day of every week. Later on, a specific Sunday—in the Western Church the first Sunday following the first full moon in spring—was chosen to mark the annual cele- bration of the feast of Easter. Jesus’ resurrection took place without any human witnesses. It is a miracle and a mystery. Holy Scripture, however, gives account of many who saw the Risen One. Immediately after His resurrection, He appeared to Mary Mag- dalene and other women, to the Apostles Peter and John, as well as to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. On the evening of the day He resurrected, Jesus came and stood in the midst of His Apostles. Furthermore, Apostle Paul spoke of over five hundred brethren who had seen the Risen Lord (1 Corinthians 15: 3–7). The resurrection of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed in the teaching of the Apostles right from the start as the core element of the gospel. It is the foundation of hope for life eternal. Jesus Christ made it possible to undo both death and mankind’s separation from God. Belief in the resurrection of “Christ the firstfruits” from the dead is the basis for our belief in the resurrec- 442