Guestling Bradshaw CE Primary School
ASCENSION DAY
Ascension Day is observed in the United Kingdom on the 40th day of Easter. It commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven.
BACKGROUND
Ascension Day is one of the earliest Christian festivals dating back to the year 68 CE. According to the Bible, Jesus met several times with his disciples during the 40 days after his resurrection to instruct them on how to carry out his teachings. It is believed that on the 40th day he took them to the Mount of Olives, where they watched as he ascended to heaven.
Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She went and carried the news to his mourning and sorrowful followers, but when she told them that he was alive they did not believe her.
Later he appeared to two of the disciples as they were walking into the countryside. They also went and took the news to the others, but again they did not believe that the Lord was alive.
Then, when the eleven disciples were at the table. He appeared to them and reproached them because they had not believed those who had seen him after he was raised from the dead.
Then he said to them: 'Go forth to every part of the world, and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. Those who believe it and receive baptism will find salvation; those who do not believe will be condemned, Faith will bring with it these miracles: believers will cast out devils in my name and speak in strange tongues; if they handle snakes or drink any deadly poison, they will come to no harm; and the sick on whom they lay their hands will recover.'
So after talking with them the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven, and he took his seat at the right hand of God.
WHEN IS ASCENSION DAY?
Ascension Day marks the end of the Easter season and occurs ten days before Pentecost. Although it occurs on a Thursday, some churches may choose to celebrate it on the following Sunday. Many Christians attend church services on Ascension Day to celebrate – at Guestling Bradshaw we sometimes walk across the fields to Guestling Church for our own special service.
WHAT DO PEOPLE DO?
Ascension Day is a public holiday in some countries, including France, and Government offices, schools, banks and many businesses are closed. Because it falls on a Thursday, many people take a long weekend off; the Friday in between is usually quiet, particularly in shops and offices.
Celebrations include processions symbolizing Christ’s entry into heaven and, in some countries, chasing a “devil” through the streets and dunking it in a pond or burning it in effigy – symbolic of the Messiah’s triumph over the devil when he opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
It is traditional to eat some type of bird on Ascension Day because that is seen as a way by which to honour Jesus who "flew" to Heaven. Another tradition is to climb a hill or mountain because this commemorates the moment at which Jesus and the apostles climbed the Mount of Olives. If you are looking for a symbolic and quintessential way to celebrate Ascension Day, climb up to the top of a hill or a mountain and have a picnic there. Be sure to include some type of bird in your picnic menu!
ASCENSION DAY TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
In Derbyshire, especially the Peak District, well dressing is a custom associated with Ascension Day. Wells, springs and other water sources are decorated with spectacular pictures created from flowers and other plant materials. The tradition goes back many hundreds of years, and may have started as a way of giving thanks for the purity of the water.
Another old English custom is 'beating the bounds', where people walk a symbolic route around their parish boundaries, pausing to pray for their community and ritually 'beating' particular landmarks, such as trees and walls, with sticks to mark the edge of the boundary. In the past, maps were rare, so this was done to renew and hand down knowledge of the limits of each parish so that such matters as community responsibilities and commoners’ rights would not be disputed.
The legend of the Penny Hedge dates back to 1159, when the Abbot of Whitby imposed a penance on three hunters for murdering a hermit. The hunters were following a wild boar near. When the boar took refuge in a hermitage, the hunters attacked the monk living there. Before he died, the monk said he would forgive them and spare their lives if they and their descendants enact a penance: each year, on the eve of Ascension Day, they must construct a short hedge from wooden stakes woven together, on the shore of Whitby, able to withstand three tides. The instructions stipulated that a knife "of a penny price" was to be used - hence the name.
Eggs laid on Ascension Day are said to never go bad and will guarantee good luck for a household if placed in the roof. In Devon, it was an ancient belief that the clouds always formed into the familiar Christian image of a lamb on Ascension Day. If the weather is sunny on Ascension Day, the summer will be long and hot, according to folklore. If it rains on the day, crops will do badly and livestock will suffer from disease. According to Welsh superstition, it is unlucky to do any work on Ascension Day.
ASCENSION DAY CUSTOMS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
In Portugal, Ascension Day is associated with wishes for peace and prosperity. Traditionally, in rural communities, people make bouquets from olive branches and sheaves of wheat with poppies and daisies. The olive and wheat are symbolic of abundant harvest; the poppy stands for peace and the daisy for money. The flowers are hung behind the door to be replaced the following year.
In some areas of Italy, crickets have come to be associated with Ascension Day; in fact the holiday is also known as the Feast of the Cricket. It is traditional for children to catch crickets in little cricket boxes. If they continue to chirp when brought home, this is considered good luck.
On Ascension Day in 1177, the Doge of Venice brought peace and save the Papal States from possible ruin. The Pope sent a sacred ring to the Doge to symbolize that Venice would always have dominion over the sea. This soon came to be interpreted as a "marriage" with the sea and each year on Ascension Day, the Doge (now the Mayor) leads a procession of boats and ceremonially throws a ring into the sea, stating "We marry you, oh sea, as a symbol of perpetual dominion."
In Sweden, many people go out to the woods to hear the birds at sunrise. It is good luck if a cuckoo is heard from the east or west. These jaunts are called gökotta, or 'early cuckoo mornings'. In Germany, Ascension Day coincides with Father’s Day and many Protestant men have herrenpartien outings.
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