What Holidays Do Lutherans Celebrate?

Lutherans celebrate many of the Christian holidays. The Lutheran denomination is considered to be the first Christian denomination created outside of the Roman Catholic Church. Though many may consider the Lutheran denomination as closely related to Catholicism as any religion could be, there are some differences between the two religions involving the traditions observed throughout the calendar year.

Lutherans celebrate a limited number of occasions. Lutherans do not partake in many secular celebrations, mainly because these types of celebrations are not written in the religious doctrine of the Holy Christian Bible.

However, there are many celebrations Lutherans do partake in that some may not be familiar with. Often referred to as festivals rather than holidays, the easiest way to remember the names for these festivals is by using the acronym ACE LEAP, standing for:

• Advent
• Christmas
• Easter
• Lent
• Epiphany
• Ascension
• Pentecost

These seven festivals are the basis of most Lutheran teaching, and are all celebrated because the Lutherans believe they were directly referred to in the Holy Christian Bible. 

Advent

The very word “advent” means “coming,” and in the Lutheran denomination of the Christian Church, the term is directly related to the coming of Jesus Christ, meaning his birth as the son of God in human flesh. Advent also represents the beginning of the Lutheran calendar because the advent festival celebrates the promise that God gave man in sending a savior for all. 

Christmas

The Christmas celebration for the Lutheran church is nothing like the holiday most of the secular world experiences, and Santa Claus is never mentioned. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God in human flesh, and the fulfillment of all of the Old Testament prophecies. 

Easter

For Lutherans, the festival of Easter begins on the Thursday before the Sunday of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the grave. Maundy Thursday represents the preparation for His crucifixion on Good Friday, which is the last recognition until the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Lent

The festival of Lent is celebrated by the Lutheran church in exaltation of the 40 days that Christ spent fasting in the desert before Easter. This period often viewed by many to be a time when Christians do not eat meat. This, however, is a practice exclusive to Catholics.

Epiphany

The festival of the epiphany represents the day three kings came to visit the child Jesus Christ, bestowing gifts upon him because of their realization that he was to be their savior. Epiphany is noted to be celebrated on January 6th, exactly 12 days after Christmas.

Ascension

The inclusion of Ascension day on the list of holidays that Lutheran's celebrate represents the Lutheran recognition of the day that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, 40 days after His resurrection from the dead, and signifying the end of His earthly ministry. 

Pentecost

The festival of Pentecost is in reference to the 40th day after Christ’s ascension into heaven, when He fulfilled His promise to the apostles and sent the Holy Spirit down upon them in order to prepare them for teaching His word to the World.

Lutheran Holidays Show Beliefs

For those interested in the beliefs of the Lutheran religion, knowing that these are the holidays that Lutheran's celebrate gives you great insight into many of the Lutheran beliefs.