Christian Celebrations 
Advent: Christian Observance Period of four weeks in which Christians prepare for Christmas. Annunciation: March 25 Christian Observance This feast remembers the visit of Archangel Gabriel to Mary, during which God's wish for her to become the mother of Jesus is announced. Ascension Day: Eastern Orthodox Christian. Celebrates Jesus' ascent into heaven. Christian Observance The observance of Christmas is celebrated by Christians around the world to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Known as the season of Advent, it is a time to reflect on the deeper meaning of faith.
Through the birth of Jesus Christ, Christians are reminded of how God has entered the material world of time and death in which each of us live. In a world that can sometimes be cold and lonely, Christmas speaks of hope and love. Epiphany: January 6th Christian Observance End of the 12 days of Christmas; celebrates visit of the Three Kings to baby Jesus and also baptism of Jesus; especially important to Eastern Orthodox and in Hispanic Culture. Feast of St. Basil: January 1 Eastern Orthodox Christian Observance St. Basil was an early leader of Eastern Christianity and a major saint in Orthodoxy; his day celebrates the Orthodox liturgy. Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary: August 15 Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christian Observance Commemorates the assumption of Mary, mother of Jesus, into heaven. 
Holy Friday: Eastern Orthodox Christian Observance The day of Jesus' crucifixion. Lent: Lent spans 40 weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday and climaxing during Holy Week with Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and concluding Saturday before Easter. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance. Lent has traditionally been marked by penitential prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Some churches today still observe a rigid schedule of fasting on certain days during Lent, especially the giving up of meat, alcohol, sweets, and other types of food. Other traditions do not place as great an emphasis on fasting, but focus on charitable deeds, especially helping those in physical need with food and clothing, or simply the giving of money to charities. Nativity of Jesus Christ: January 7 Eastern Orthodox Christian Observance Christmas celebration of those Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar. Palm Sunday: Eastern Orthodox Christian Observance Opens Christian Holy Week; recalls entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Saint Nicholas Day: December 6 Christian Observance Advent of spring; sacred to Saraswati, goddess of learning. Three Kings Day: January 6 Eastern Orthodox Christain Observance The celebration of "Three Kings Day" takes place on the 6th of January and is commonly known as the celebration of the Epiphany. Observed throughout Europe and Latin America it is also known as "Little Christmas".
It is told that three kings set out from three different parts of the known world following a star, in search of the "King of Kings", to Jerusalem. These three kings were named Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Arriving in Jerusalem on the 6th of January they brought the new born baby gifts of Gold, Myrrh, and Frankincense.
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