Exploring the sacred and secular roots of the major Christian festivals.

The Roots of Christian Festivals
By David Self

For many children, Christmas is more about Santa Claus than the infant Jesus.

For many, after Christmas and birthdays, the most important festival of the year is now Hallowe'en - thanks to the supermarkets.

And Easter is simply a time for chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies.

Somehow "Assembly" is meant to make sense of all this.

In his latest book, David Self explains in simple terms the meanings and origins of these and other Christian festivals - ranging from Shrove Tuesday and Mothering Sunday to the now almost forgotten Whitsun (once a highlight of every school's year - especially in the north of England). Besides their religious significance, he explains why we bring mistletoe and holly into our homes at Christmas (mistletoe was said to cure tooth aches; holly was a protection against storm damage); what Pancake Day has got to do with the Vikings and even how the angel Gabriel decided our tax year should end on April 5th. The short chapters of this handy reference paperback are easily digested by the busy teacher and sections can be read aloud or serve as outline scripts for use in Acts of Worship or more secular assemblies over a wide age range.

Besides having been the author of a best-selling secondary RE course and having been a producer of RE programmes for BBC Education, David has written many other books on both Christianity and the other world faiths for young readers. His World Religions (Lion) is a set book for the Common Entrance examination and he writes a weekly column for assembly leaders in The Times Educational Supplement. Published 1st November 2004, price £8.99. Available from all good bookshops: follow this link to buy it online from SPCK. A succinct guide for speakers and teachers who need to explain secular (or even pagan) observances - such as Halloween which is hugely popular - in a Christian context.