Catholics attend midnight mass, and Protestants attend candlelight services. Others begin using advent calendars and wreaths at the first of December, or indulge their younger children in the stories of Santa Claus. Although some put presents under the tree as soon as they are wrapped, others place them there on Christmas Eve. A star at the top of the tree represents the Star of Bethlehem, and an angel represent angels looking over the nativity. Tet is the Vietnamese celebration of the New Year during which it is believed the spirits of the celebrants dead ancestors come to visit them.
Homes welcome family members, teachers, business associates, and friends, bringing good luck.
Families decorate graves, many Buddhists pray at pagodas, and Catholics attend a pre-midnight mass. Because the Vietnamese count birthdays beginning at Tet, birthdays are also celebrated at this time. December 22-30 Around 200 B.C.E., Antiochus tried to force all Jews to convert to Greek Orthodoxy. The Jews rebelled, and after three years, the Greeks were driven away. The Jews wanted to rededicate the temple but could only find enough oil to light the lamps for one night.