The When, What, and How of Good Friday
What is so Good About Good Friday?
Good Friday is celebrated two days before Easter Sunday. It is the Friday of Holy Week in the Christian religion. Good Friday 2009 occurs on April 10th.
What is Good Friday?
Christians observe this day as the day of Christ's crucifixion. His sacrifice absolved humankind of sin, therefore giving all those who follow him entrance into Heaven. Christ's crucifixion is the cornerstone of the Christian religion.
According to the Bible, Christ rose from the dead three days after Good Friday. The day of his resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday.
How is Good Friday Celebrated?
While Good Friday is not a national holiday, some states do observe it. In Indiana, employees are given the day off. Hawaii also observes Good Friday as a state holiday.
Good Friday is a Catholic fast day. Catholics reflect upon the sacrifice of Christ and what he endured. No mass is said on Good Friday. Instead, the service is referred to as "the mass of the Presanctified". Communion, which was "presanctified" on Thursday, is taken during this service. Catholic observances include the Veneration of the Cross, The Reproaches, and the Reading of the Passion.
Some Protestant churches also hold special services for Good Friday. Some hold an afternoon or evening church service on Good Friday to remember Christ's crucifixion on Calvary Hill. Scripture relating to Christ's death is read to the congregation.
Many community churches will hold a cooperative Good Friday service. Good Friday is set aside as a day for reflection and mourning. Christians remember the torment that Christ endured in order to save them.
Suggestions for Observing Good Friday
The Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the Christ, chronicles the occurrences of Good Friday. This movie is extremely graphic. It depicts scenes of torture and may not be appropriate for small children.
Those who are interested in attending a religious service can check their local newspaper to find a church in their area that is holding a Good Friday service.
Christians can read the gospel scriptures that relate the crucifixion. They can quietly meditate or reflect on the impact of Christ's sacrifice.
Give children a small styrofoam ball and have them paint it grey to make a "stone". Tell them about the stone that was placed at the entrance of Christ's tomb and was then rolled away on Easter morning.
Whether a person is a Christian or not, Good Friday presents an excellent opportunity to remember the suffering of others. It reminds us all to be thankful for those who have made sacrifices for us.
Sources
Holidays: Good Friday in United States, http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/good-friday
Catholic Online, Good Friday - Easter / Lent, http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/friday.php
Published by Kristy Martz
Kristy is a freelance article and short story writer who has lived in 13 different places. Her nomadic upbringing has given her a wide range of experiences. She managed to juggle a full-time job and two sma... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentSecretsides - I have never seen it, but I've talked to a LOT of people who have. Basically, it is the story of Good Friday. I think I'd get too upset if I watched it. That's why I included the warning. Some people were really touched by it though.
Patricia - LOL
Good Friday afternoon, we were all sent to our rooms to either nap, read or play quietly. We were not to leave under pain of ... well, it was the 60s, you don't want to know. Our parents also retired to their room between noon and 3 pm. Decades later my mother admitted they weren't doing the Stations of the Cross in there.
Great article. I too believe that the Passion of Christ was extremely graphic. I think that it is needlessly graphic. I think it is important to remember what he did for us but not necessary to get obsessed with the crucifiction. I believe a person would have to be a sadist to sit and watch that more than once. I like your idea of other ways to celebrate Good Friday.
Wonderful article, very informative.
We do the stations of the cross on Good Friday. Great explanation:)