Christmas Eve on December 24 kicks off a series of holiday traditions. Some are ancient practices with a modern spin, while others date back hundreds of years.
#ChristmasEve
Christmas Eve is filled with both religious and non-religious traditions. Religious traditions center around the birth of Jesus. Different denominations have their own traditions. On Christmas Eve Roman Catholics and Anglicans hold Midnight Mass. Lutherans celebrate with candlelight services and Christmas carols. Many evangelical churches hold evening services where families celebrate Holy Communion.
Around the world, Christmas Eve is celebrated with a variety of foods. In Italy, they celebrate the Feast of Seven Fishes. Russians traditionally serve a 12-dish Christmas Eve Supper before opening gifts. Meanwhile, in Bulgaria, the Christmas Eve meal consists of an odd number of meatless dishes.
Besides food and religious services, the holiday is when Santa Claus takes to the sky in his sleigh to deliver Christmas gifts around the world. Other names for the white-bearded man in a red suit include Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, and Saint Nicholas. No matter what he is called, the legend of Santa is based on a real-life man named Saint Nicholas of Myra. The early Christian bishop was known for secret gift-giving, as well as many miracles. Through the years, the legend of Santa grew to include the North Pole, a sleigh driven by reindeer, a naughty or nice list, and his jolly laugh, “ho, ho, ho.”
HOW TO OBSERVE CHRISTMAS EVE
QUESTION: What are some of your traditions?
There are many ways to observe Christmas Eve. For many families, the most important thing is to make lasting memories with their loved ones. Here are some ways to celebrate:
Attend church for a candlelight service or Midnight Mass
Read the account of Jesus’ birth from the Book of Luke
Put out milk and cookies for Santa
Pass out Christmas cookies and other goodies to your neighbors
Host an ugly Christmas sweater party
Gather around the tree with your family and cups of cocoa and share favorite holiday memories
Go caroling in your neighborhood or at a senior center
Make a gingerbread house
Hang up Christmas stockings
Read Christmas classics like The Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol
Watch a fun Christmas movie like Elf, Home Alone, or The Grinch
Rent a limo and look at Christmas lights
