Christianity
Highlights for Early Childhood Teachers

How old is Christianity?  2000 years old

Where did it originate?  Palestine

Where is Christianity practiced today?  It is practiced worldwide.  It is the most widespread faith in the world and the predominant religion in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Southern Africa.

What are some of the different types of Christians?
The main three branches of Christianity are Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox.  Of these, Catholic is the largest.  Within Protestantism there are many denominations.  Including: Baptist, Presbyterian, Quaker (Society of Friends) Mennonite, Episcopal, Methodist, and Lutheran.  Beliefs and practices vary greatly among these branches and denominations, as well as across countries and cultures. 

How many Christians are there worldwide?    Almost two billion

How many Christians are there in the United States?  Almost 160 million, or 76.5% of the U.S. adult population

Where do people worship?  Churches are the center of Christian worship, but people can also worship in their homes or outside.  The word church means “those called out.” 

Who are the major deities or prophets in this religion?
Christians, originally a sect of Judaism, adopted its monotheism, belief in one God who the all-powerful creator God.  They also believe that Jesus, a Jew, was the Christ (Messiah or Anointed One).  There were twelve apostles, or followers of Jesus, who told others of his teachings.

What are some of the important values, beliefs, and practices of Christianity?
1. People should love God and love one’s neighbor, the two great commandments Jesus found in the Old Testament.
2. It is important to continually forgive everyone, even your enemies
3. The doctrine of the Trinity is a belief that there are three aspects of the divine: God, the Father and creator of the world; Jesus Christ, his Son; and the Holy Spirit, the love among the Persons of God extended to the human family and to all creation.
4.  Humans are created in the image of God.
5.  The world was created by God, and therefore has a separate existence from him.  Christians believe that God sustains the world.  Most Christians participate in certain rituals called sacraments.
6.  Jesus is viewed as an incarnation of God, that is, God in human flesh.
7.  Many Christians value community with other Christians.
8.  Most Christians believe that there is life after death in communion with God

What are some important traditions and practices?
Most Christians participate in certain rituals called sacraments. 
Baptism can include sprinkling or immersion of babies or older people with sacred water as a ritual of initiation into the life of the church.  The ceremony represents a spiritual rebirth. 
Holy Communion, or Eucharist.  Communion is for many Protestants a reenactment of the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples.  Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist.  There is another sacrament called confirmation which signifies the coming of the Holy Spirit in a renewed way as a passage into adulthood, marriage, and anointing of the sick and dying.   These practices differ widely among Christians.
Christians recite the Lord’s Prayer frequently.

What are some important holidays, holy days, or festivals?
Lent, the liturgical season leading up to Easter, represents the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.  Some Christians pray and fast during this period.  Easter represents Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  Christians see it as a time to celebrate the triumph of life over death.   These holy days are celebrated in the spring.

Advent begins the month before Christmas and is a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus.  Christmas, always celebrated on December 25th, is observed with hymns, candles, a nativity scene with figures representing the story of Jesus’ birth, and special foods. 

Some Christians, especially Catholics, celebrate saints’ days.  Saints are holy people whose lives manifest the holiness of God through faith and service to others.  Christians in countries around the world have their own patron saint whose feast day is observed with great festivals, including processions, feasts, and communal gatherings. 

Are there any dietary restrictions?  For most groups of Christians there are no dietary restrictions; however some denominations, such as Seventh Day Adventists, practice vegetarianism.

Are their practices or beliefs that might not coincide with early childhood or public school functions and routines?  Some conservative Christian families object to children being exposed to ideas that that contradict those they believe are espoused in the Bible.  They may request that children not read certain books that they consider secular or that deal with such topics as self-esteem, sexuality, disobedience toward parents, or moral decision making (not based on Biblical premises).  They also may object to books that contain what they consider inappropriate language or values. 

Some evangelical Christian families prefer to home-school their children or send them to church schools.  Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christian Scientists do not use standard medical treatments.  Teachers, administrators, and school nurses should be aware of these religious practices. 

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate holidays.  Birthday parties, Valentines Day celebrations, etc. are not permitted.  Parents may ask that children leave the room or be provided with an alternative activity if the teacher chooses to have such celebrations in the classroom. 

These groups represent only a small proportion of Christians throughout the world and in the United States.  The great majority are assimilated into American culture.

A few children’s books on Christianity:

Beckett, W.  (1998). Sister Wendy’s Book of Saints.  New York:  DK Publishing.

Dillon, D. and L.  (1998). To Every Thing There Is A Season.  New York: 
            Blue Sky Press. 

Halperin, W.  (2001). Love is…  New York:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young
            Readers. 

Hogrogian, N. (1995).  First Christmas.  New York: Greenwillow Books. 

Ladwig, T. (Illustrator) (2000). The Lord’s Prayer.  Grand Rapids, MI:  Eerdmans
                        Books. 

Mayer, M.  (1999).Young Jesus of Nazareth. New York:  Morrow Junior Books. 

Raschka, C. (1998).  Simple Gifts.  New York:  Henry Holt.