Religious Facts About Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras actually has its beginnings in the medieval time period of Western Europe, France in particular.
For hundreds of years European Christians have celebrated both the 12 days of Christmas and indulged in feasting before fasting began for the Lenten season.
It was the combination of both events that ultimately led to the celebration and season of Mardi Gras.
The celebration of Carnival actually begins on January 6, known as 12th night or 3 kings day, and ends in a culmination of festivities on Fat Tuesday (always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday).
With this understanding, one begins to get a clear picture of how the 12 days of Christmas and the beginning of Lent have been combined in to one long celebratory picture.
According to CRIvoice.
org, "The season of 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.
Originally, Lent was the time of preparation for those who were to be baptized, a time of concentrated study and prayer before their baptism at the Easter Vigil, the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord early on Easter Sunday.
" To understand the timing of the celebration, one must look back and see exactly what January 6 represents.
Although most Christians around the world celebrate December 25 as the Christ Child's birth date.
Mainly Catholics have celebrated the tradition of the Epiphany.
The Epiphany is celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas, January 6, and is said to be the date when the wise men found and worshipped the baby Jesus.
Thus the commencement of Carnival begins on this date although the actually Mardi Gras parades may not start until much later, the two weeks that precede the Lenten season to be exact, the Mardi Gras season itself begins on January 6 It is on January 6, that many King cakes are traditionally served for the first time during the season as well; though it can and is served any time during the Mardi Gras season at a King Cake Party.
As with other things concerning this period of time, the King cake also has religious origins.
The King cake is a celebratory pastry honoring the Kings who came in search of the newborn King, Jesus.
Traditionally, a small baby is baked inside the cake to represent the baby Jesus.
It is considered lucky to be served the piece of cake with the baby inside and the person receiving that piece is honored with hosting the next party.
Unfortunately, the tradition of placing a plastic baby inside of the cake has fallen out of favor in recent years because some felt that a foreign object inside something edible presents a choking hazard.
That says much about this day and time.
Because many take reveling and partying to the extremes, Mardi Gras has received a negative image over the past few decades however many devout Catholics still few the time with reverence and seek only to enjoy a time of fellowship with family and friends.
For hundreds of years European Christians have celebrated both the 12 days of Christmas and indulged in feasting before fasting began for the Lenten season.
It was the combination of both events that ultimately led to the celebration and season of Mardi Gras.
The celebration of Carnival actually begins on January 6, known as 12th night or 3 kings day, and ends in a culmination of festivities on Fat Tuesday (always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday).
With this understanding, one begins to get a clear picture of how the 12 days of Christmas and the beginning of Lent have been combined in to one long celebratory picture.
According to CRIvoice.
org, "The season of 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.
Originally, Lent was the time of preparation for those who were to be baptized, a time of concentrated study and prayer before their baptism at the Easter Vigil, the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord early on Easter Sunday.
" To understand the timing of the celebration, one must look back and see exactly what January 6 represents.
Although most Christians around the world celebrate December 25 as the Christ Child's birth date.
Mainly Catholics have celebrated the tradition of the Epiphany.
The Epiphany is celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas, January 6, and is said to be the date when the wise men found and worshipped the baby Jesus.
Thus the commencement of Carnival begins on this date although the actually Mardi Gras parades may not start until much later, the two weeks that precede the Lenten season to be exact, the Mardi Gras season itself begins on January 6 It is on January 6, that many King cakes are traditionally served for the first time during the season as well; though it can and is served any time during the Mardi Gras season at a King Cake Party.
As with other things concerning this period of time, the King cake also has religious origins.
The King cake is a celebratory pastry honoring the Kings who came in search of the newborn King, Jesus.
Traditionally, a small baby is baked inside the cake to represent the baby Jesus.
It is considered lucky to be served the piece of cake with the baby inside and the person receiving that piece is honored with hosting the next party.
Unfortunately, the tradition of placing a plastic baby inside of the cake has fallen out of favor in recent years because some felt that a foreign object inside something edible presents a choking hazard.
That says much about this day and time.
Because many take reveling and partying to the extremes, Mardi Gras has received a negative image over the past few decades however many devout Catholics still few the time with reverence and seek only to enjoy a time of fellowship with family and friends.