Christmas Eve

Christmas Eveis the evening or entire day beforeChristmas, the festival commemoratingthe birthofJesus.Christmas Day isobserved around the world, and Christmas Eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day. Together, both days are considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations inChristendomandWestern society.
Christmas celebrations in thedenominationsofWestern Christianityhave long begun on Christmas Eve, due in part to the Christian liturgical day starting at sunset,a practice inherited from Jewish tradition,and based on thestory of Creationin theBook of Genesis: "And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day."Many churches still ring theirchurch bellsand holdprayersin the evening; for example, the NordicLutheranchurches.Since tradition holds thatJesuswas born at night (based in Luke 2:6-8),Midnight Massis celebrated on Christmas Eve, traditionally at midnight, in commemoration of his birth.The idea of Jesus being born at night is reflected in the fact that Christmas Eve is referred to asHeilige Nacht(Holy Night) in German,Nochebuena(the Good Night) in Spanish and similarly in other expressions of Christmas spirituality, such as the song"Silent Night, Holy Night".
Many other varying cultural traditions and experiences are also associated with Christmas Eve around the world, including the gathering of family and friends, the singing ofChristmas carols, the illumination and enjoyment ofChristmas lights, trees, and other decorations, the wrapping, exchange and opening of gifts, and general preparation for Christmas Day. Legendary Christmas gift-bearing figures includingSanta Claus,Father Christmas,Christkind, andSaint Nicholasare also often said to depart for their annual journey to deliver presents to children around the world on Christmas Eve, although until theProtestantintroduction of Christkind in 16th-century Europe,such figures were said to instead deliver presents on the eve ofSaint Nicholas' feast day(6 December).
Western churches have traditionally observed Christmas Eve (properly the Vigil of the Nativity) as a liturgical observance distinct from the masses of Christmas Day, with the proper Gospel at the Mass for the Vigil of the Nativity being that of the Annunciation to Joseph inMatthew 1. The Vigil of the Nativity is not so much the first day of Christmas as it is the last day ofAdvent, and so it traditionally retains theliturgical colorof violet. In traditional western liturgical practice, when the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve occur on the same day, the Sunday mass is of Christmas Eve and the Fourth Sunday of Advent is only commemorated.
The festivities of Christmas Day have, however, extended farther and farther back into Christmas Eve. WhileRoman Catholics,Lutherans, and someAnglicanstraditionally celebrateMidnight Mass, the first mass of Christmas, either at or nearmidnighton Christmas Eve, some churches have in recent decades scheduled their "Midnight" Mass as early as 7 pm in an effort to better accommodate young children, whose choral singing has become a popular feature in some traditions.
Midnight Mass is held in churches throughout the world and celebrates the birth of Christ, which is believed to have occurred at night. Midnight Mass is popular in Poland (pasterka) and Lithuania (piemenėlių mišios). InLatin Americaand theIberian Peninsula, the Midnight Mass is also referred to as "Rooster's Mass" (Misa de Galloin Spanish,Missa do Galoin Portuguese andMissa del Gallin Catalan). In thePhilippines, the custom has expanded into the nine-daySimbang Gabi, when Filipinos attend dawn Masses (traditionally beginning around 04:00 to 05:00PST) from 16 December, continuing daily until Christmas Eve. In 2009Vaticanofficials scheduled the Midnight Mass to start at 10 pm so that the 82-year-oldPope Benedict XVIwould not have too late a night.
Anativity scenemay be erected indoors or outdoors, and is composed of figurines depicting the infant Jesus resting in a manger, Mary, and Joseph.Other figures in the scene may includeangels,shepherds, and various animals. The figures may be made of any material,and arranged in a stable or grotto. TheMagimay also appear, and are sometimes not placed in the scene until the week following Christmas to account for their travel time toBethlehem.  While most home nativity scenes are packed away at Christmas or shortly thereafter, nativity scenes in churches usually remain on display until the feast of theBaptism of the Lord.
Throughout congregations of the various denominations of Christianity, on Christmas Eve, the Christ Candle in the center of theAdvent wreathis traditionally lit in manychurch services. In candlelight services, while singingSilent Night, each member of the congregation receives a candle and passes along their flame which is first received from the Christ Candle.
Lutheranstraditionally practice Christmas EveEucharistictraditions typical of Germany and Scandinavia. "Krippenspiele" (Nativity plays), special festive music for organ, vocal and brasschoirsand candlelight services make Christmas Eve one of the most beloved days in the Lutheran Church calendar. ChristmasVespersis popular in the early evening, andMidnight Massesare also widespread in regions which are predominantly Lutheran. The old Lutheran tradition of a Christmas Vigil in the early morning hours ofChristmas Day(Christmette) can still be found in some regions. In eastern andmiddle Germany, congregations still continue the tradition of "Quempassinging": separate groups dispersed in various parts of the church sing verses of the song "He whom shepherds once came Praising" (Quem pastores laudavere) responsively.
With respect toPresbyterianism, theChurch of Scotlandhas a service beginning just before midnight, in whichcarolsare sung. These services are very popular.
Methodistscelebrate the evening in different ways. Some, in the early evening, come to their church to celebrateHoly Communionwith their families. The mood is very solemn, and the only visible light is theAdvent Wreath, and the candles upon theLord's Table. Others celebrate the evening with services of light, which include singing the songSilent Nightas a variety of candles (including personal candles) are lit. Other churches have late evening services perhaps at 11 pm, so that the church can celebrate Christmas Day together with the ringing of bells at midnight. Others offer Christmas Day services as well.
The annual "Nine Lessons and Carols", broadcast fromKing's College, Cambridgeon Christmas Eve, has established itself a Christmas custom in the United Kingdom, where Anglican Christianity is the traditional faith.It is broadcast outside the UK via theBBC World Service, and is also bought by broadcasters around the world.
In theByzantine Rite, Christmas Eve is referred to asParamony("preparation").  It is the concluding day of theNativity Fastand is observed as a day of strictfastingby those devout Byzantine Christians who are physically capable of doing so. In some traditions, nothing is eaten until the first star appears in the evening sky, in commemoration of theStar of Bethlehem. Theliturgicalcelebration begins earlier in the day with the celebration of theRoyal Hours, followed by theDivine Liturgycombined with the celebration ofVespers, during which a large number of passages from theOld Testamentare chanted, recounting the history of salvation. After thedismissalat the end of the service, a new candle is brought out into the center of the church and lit, and all gather round and sing theTroparionandKontakionof the Feast.
In the evening, theAll-Night Vigilfor the Feast of the Nativity is composed ofGreat Compline,Matinsand theFirst Hour. The Byzantine services of Christmas Eve are intentionally parallel to those ofGood Friday, illustrating thetheologicalpoint that the purpose of theIncarnationwas to make possible theCrucifixionandResurrection. This is illustrated in Easterniconsof the Nativity, on which theChrist Childis wrapped inswaddling clothesreminiscent of hisburial wrappings. The child is also shown lying on a stone, representing theTomb of Christ, rather than amanger. TheCave of the Nativityis also a reminder of the cave in which Jesus was buried.
The services of Christmas Eve are also similar to those of the Eve ofTheophany(Epiphany), and the twoGreat Feastsare considered one celebration.
In someOrthodoxcultures, after the Vesperal Liturgy the family returns home to a festive meal, but one at whichOrthodox fasting rulesare still observed: no meat or dairy products (milk, cheese, eggs, etc.) are consumed (see below for variations according to nationality). Then they return to the church for the All-Night Vigil.
The next morning, Christmas Day, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated again, but with special features that occur only on Great Feasts of the Lord. After thedismissalof this Liturgy, the faithful customarily greet each other with thekiss of peaceand the words: "Christ is Born!", to which the one being greeted responds: "Glorify Him!" (the opening words of theCanonof the Nativity that was chanted the night before during the Vigil). This greeting, together with many of thehymnsof the feast, continue to be used until theleave-takingof the feast on 31 December.
The first three days of the feast are particularly solemn. The second day is known as theSynaxisof theTheotokos, and commemorates the role of theVirgin Maryin theNativity of Jesus. The third day is referred to simply as "the Third Day of the Nativity". The Saturday and Sunday following 25 December have specialEpistleandGospelreadings assigned to them. 29 December celebrates theHoly Innocents.
Byzantine Christians observe a festal period oftwelve days, during which no one in the Church fasts, even on Wednesdays and Fridays, which are normal fasting days throughout the rest of the year. During this time one feast leads into another: 25–31 December is theafterfeastof the Nativity; 2–5 January is theforefeastof theEpiphany.
In Bulgaria, the meal consists of anodd numberof lenten dishes in compliance with the rules of fasting. They are usually the traditionalsarma,bob chorba(bean soup), fortunekravai(pastry with a fortune in it; also calledbogovitsa,vechernik,kolednik),stuffed peppers,nuts, dried fruit, boiled wheat.The meal is often accompanied with wine or Bulgaria's traditionalalcoholic beveragerakia, in the pastolovina(a type of homemade rye beer). The meals used to be put on top of hay, directly on the floor, together with aploughshareor acoulter.
In Cuba, roasted pig (lechón) is often the center of Christmas Eve (Nochebuena).It is believed that the tradition dates back to the 15th century when Caribbean colonists hunted down pigs and roasted them with a powerful flame.
In Cuban and Cuban-American tradition, the pig is sometimes cooked in aCaja China, a large box where an entire pig is placed below hot coals.The dinner features many side dishes and desserts, and often games ofdominoesare played. The tradition is continued by Cuban families in Florida and the United States.The dinner on the Christmas Eve is the center of the celebration.
Christmas Eve dinner is generally not served at a set time, though it is typically eaten as a family. It is expected that the entire family will be at the table to start tasting thefrijoles negros dormidos(sleeping black beans) and thearroz blanco desgranado y reluciente(shredded white rice), theyuca con mojo(a Cuban side dish made by marinatingcassavain garlic, sour orange, and olive oil), the roasted pork or the stuffed or unfilledguanajo, along with homemade desserts, such as Christmas fritters, and a wide range of sweets in syrup and Spanish nougat.
The visit to the archipelago ofPopeJohn Paul II, in 1998, prompted the Cuban government, in a gesture of goodwill, to declare 25 December again as a holiday, which it had not been for several decades.
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, fasting on the day of Christmas Eve (or only eating meatless food) is a medieval tradition. The belief is that if one lasted until Christmas dinner, they would see a golden pig, which is a symbol of luck. A typical Christmas breakfast is a sweet braided breadvánočka. Christmas Eve dinner traditionally consists of a carp (baked or fried) and a potato salad.
In French-speaking places,Réveillonis a long dinner eaten on Christmas Eve.
InGuamand theNorthern Marianas, dishes include shrimpkelaguen; coconut crab; andkadonoctopus (octopus stewed in sweet peppers andcoconut milk).Beef is a rarity,but a popular dish istinaktak, ground beef in coconut milk.
During the Christmas period, theWeihnachtsmarkt(Christmas market) becomes a feature of almost every city, town, or village in the German-speaking countries, where visitors enjoy stalls, entertainment, and savour food andGlühwein(mulled wine). Traditional Christmastime treats includeLebkuchen(gingerbread),Stollen(fruit cake),Speculaasandmarzipan(almond confectionery often made into sweets). Perhaps the most famed of these markets is theChristkindlesmarktheld inNuremberg, which attracts millions of visitors every year.
The Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree) is usually put up in the afternoon of 24 December. The trees can be bought at special traders' sites, but some families may still go into the forest and cut one themselves. TheChristkindbrings the presents on the evening of Christmas eve.
Traditionally, onHeiligabend(Christmas Eve) in Germany, a simple meal will be prepared and served before or after theBescherung("time for exchanging gifts"), in contrast to the big meal on Christmas Day. Various polls repeatedly declare (Eintopf) or sausages (Würstchen) with potato salad to be Germany's favourite meal onHeiligabend. Further typical meals may includecarp,fondueorraclette. On Christmas Day, the most common dishes areroast gooseor duck.
Christmas in Italyis one of thecountry's major holidaysand begins on 8 December, with theFeast of the Immaculate Conception, the day on which traditionally theChristmas treeis mounted and ends on 6 January, of the following year with theEpiphany.According to tradition, the Christmas Eve dinner must not contain meat. It is quite common to attendMidnight Masson Christmas Eve and practice the old custom of abstinence from meat on the day (but not fasting, which is observed by theEastern Orthodox Church).  Traditions regarding the exchanging of gifts vary from region to region, as this may take place either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. On 24 December, Christmas Eve, the Christmas night mass, also calledMidnight Mass, is celebrated.
While other Christian families throughout the world celebrate the Christmas Eve meal with various meats, Italians (especially Sicilians) celebrate the traditionalCatholic"Feast of the Seven Fishes" which was historically served after a 24-hour fasting period. Although Christmas fasting is no longer a popular custom, someItalian-Americansstill enjoy a meatless Christmas Eve feastand attend the Midnight Mass. In various cultures, a festive dinner is traditionally served for the family and close friends in attendance, when the first star (usuallySirius) appears in the sky.
Lithuanian Christmas Eve blends pagan and Christian traditions, as initially it was a celebration of the winter solstice.Traditionally, Lithuanians believed that animals could talk on that night, and it was possible to predict the future with charms and various games.Kūčios("Holy Meal") is the most important event of the year and family reunion. Dead relatives are remembered with an empty plate set at the table.The feast starts after the rise of the evening star.No products made from meat, milk and alcohol are allowed during the Kūčios.In all, 12 dishes are served, all of them rustic, made from grains, fish, dried fruit or mushrooms includingkūčiukai. Small biscuits soaked inpoppy seed milkare served.After the dinner is over the table is left uncleared overnight for the feast ofvėlės(spirits or soul).
InPeru, turkey andpanettoneare the stars of Christmas Eve.
In thePhilippines, thetraditional dinner(known asnoche buenaornochebuena) is served at midnight after the family attends the late eveningMassknown asMisa de Gallo(sometimes referred to asMisa de Aguinaldo, "Gift Mass"). Common traditional dishes served for the main course include:lechón, various types ofpancit(noodles),Filipino spaghetti,hamonado,jamón,queso de bola,morcón,embutido,chicken galantina,almondigas(meatballs),paelya(arroz valenciana,bringhe, etc.),lumpia,menudo,mechado,caldereta,callos,chicken pastel,relyenongbangús(stuffed milkfish),lengua estofado,adobo, and various types of barbecue (inihaw). Almost all of these dishes are eaten with white rice. Desserts and side dishes includeúbe halayá,turon,leche flan,macaroni salad,membrilyo,fruit salad,buko salad,crema de fruta,ensaymada,champorado,mango float,fruitcake,castañas(roasted chestnuts), and various otherkakanin(rice cakes) likeputo bumbong,bibingka,suman,biko,   andsapin-sapin. Popular beverages aretsokolateas well as coffee,soda, wine, beer, alcoholic drinks, and fruit juices.
A tradition similar to Italy (Wigilia, or 'Christmas Vigil') exists in Poland. The number of dishes is traditionally 12, but has been an odd number in the past.According to theSłownik etymologiczny języka polskiego(Etymological Dictionary of the Polish Language) byAleksander Brückner, the number of dishes was traditionally related to social class: the peasants' vigil consisted of 5 or 7 dishes, the gentry usually had 9, and the aristocracy, 11 dishes, but the even number 12 is also found today to remember theTwelve Apostles. It is obligatory to try a portion of all of them. Some traditions specify that the number of guests cannot be odd.
In Poland, gifts are unwrapped on Christmas Eve, as opposed to Christmas Day. It comes from fusing the traditions of Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) and Christmas. In the past, gifts were opened on the morning of Saint Nicholas Day.
In theU.S.territoryofPuerto Rico, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner consists ofarroz con gandules(rice with pigeon peas),lechón asado(pig roast) orpernil asado(pork roast shoulder),morcilla(rice-filled porkblood sausage),pasteles(root vegetable-based dough, meat-filledtamale), guineitos enescabeche(marinated, slicedgreen bananas),ensalada de papa puertorriqueña(Puerto Ricanpotato salad), andensalada de coditos puertorriqueña(Puerto Ricanmacaroni salad).The traditional Christmas Eve desserts arearroz con dulce(coconut rice pudding),tembleque(coconut pudding),flan de queso o coco(cheese or coconutcaramel custard),tierrita(chocolatemousse),turrón, galletas florecitas(smallmeringue-toppedbiscuits),Danish butter biscuits,nueces surtidas(assorted shellednuts),bombonesdulces de navidad surtidos(assorted Christmashard candy).The traditional Christmas Eve beverages arecoquito(coconut eggnog),Don QorBacardi(rum), andPitorro(moonshinerum).
Rozhdenstvenskiy sochelnik(Russian:Рождественский сочельник) was a common Eastern Orthodox tradition in theRussian Empire, but during the era of the Soviet Union it was greatly discouraged as a result of the officialatheismof the former regime.
In modern-day Russia,the churchhas aserviceon that day, but the celebration itself has not yet regained its popularity among the people. Instead of the Christmas Eve,New Year's Eveis considered to be a traditional family celebration featuring theNew Year tree.
In accordance with theChristmas traditions of the Serbs, their festive meal has a copious and diverse selection of foods, although it is prepared according to the rules of fasting.
As well as a round,unleavenedloaf of bread and salt, which are necessary, this meal may comprise roast fish, cooked beans,sauerkraut, noodles with ground walnuts, honey, and wine.
Families in some Slavic countries leave an empty place at the table for guests (alluding toMaryandJosephlooking for shelter inBethlehem).
In Ukraine,Sviatyi Vechir(Ukrainian:Святий Вечір, Holy Evening) is traditionally celebrated with a meatlesstwelve-dish Christmas Eve supper, or the Holy Supper (Ukrainian:Свята Вечеря, Sviata Vecheria). The main attributes of the Holy Supper in Ukraine arekutia, a poppy seed, honey and wheat dish, anduzvar, a drink made from reconstituted dried fruits. Other typical dishes areborscht,varenyky, and dishes made offish,phaseolusandcabbage.
The twelve dishes symbolize theTwelve Apostles. Just as in Poland, it is obligatory to try a portion of all of the dishes. The table is spread with a white cloth symbolic of theswaddling clothestheChild Jesuswas wrapped in, and a large white candle stands in the center of the table symbolizingChrist the Light of the World. Next to it is a round loaf of bread symbolizing ChristBread of Life.Hayis often displayed either on the table or as a decoration in the room, reminiscent of themangerinBethlehem.
InVenezuela,hallacasare normally the staple dish for Noche Buena alongside of either ham or pork leg known as "pernil",panettone,rumand "Ponche Crema" (a form of alcoholiceggnog). The night is usually accompanied by traditional Christmas music known as "aguinaldos"; in Venezuela, the traditional music is known asjoropo.
In Christianity, the giving of gifts during Christmastide is traced to theMagiwho brought gifts for theChrist childin themanger. During theReformationin 16th- and 17th-century Europe, many Protestants changed the gift bringer to the Christ Child orChristkindl, and the date of giving gifts changed from 6 December to Christmas Eve.It is the night whenSanta Clausmakes his rounds delivering gifts to good children.
In Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia, whereSaint Nicholas(sv. Mikuláš/szent Mikulás) gives gifts on 6 December, the Christmas gift-giver is theChild Jesus(JežíšekinCzech, Jézuska in Hungarian, Ježiško inSlovakand Isusek inCroatian).
In Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland, presents are traditionally exchanged on the evening of 24 December. Children are commonly told that presents were brought either by theChristkind(German for Christ child),or by theWeihnachtsmann. Both leave the gifts, but are in most families not seen doing so. In Germany, the gifts are also brought on 6 December by "theNikolaus" with his helperKnecht Ruprecht.
In EstoniaJõuluvana, FinlandJoulupukki, DenmarkJulemanden, NorwayJulenissenand SwedenJultomten, personally meets children and gives presents in the evening of Christmas Eve.
In Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Quebec (French Canada), Romania, Uruguay, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland, Christmas presents are opened mostly on the evening of the 24th—following German tradition, this is also the practice among theBritish Royal Familysince it was introduced byQueen VictoriaandAlbert, Prince Consort—while in Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Malta, English Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, this occurs mostly on the morning of Christmas Day.
Some countries do their gift-giving earlier in the month, connected to the tradition eitherEpiphany(in Spain, the morning of 6 January) orSinterklaas(Belgium and the Netherlands, on the evening of 5 December).
Christmas Eve is celebrated in different ways around the world, varying by country and region. Elements common to many areas of the world include the attendance of special religious observances such as a midnight Mass or Vespers and the giving and receiving of presents. Along with Easter, Christmastime is one of the most important periods on the Christian calendar, and is often closely connected to other holidays at this time of year, such as Advent, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, St. Nicholas Day, St. Stephen's Day, New Year's, and the Feast of the Epiphany.
Among Christians, as well as non-Christians who celebrate Christmas, the significant amount of vacation travel, and travel back to family homes, that takes place in the lead-up to Christmas means that Christmas Eve is also frequently a time of social events and parties, worldwide.
Nittel Nachtis a name given to Christmas Eve by Jewish scholars in the 17th century.
With Christmas Day awork holidaythroughout the United States, there is a space of unfilled free time during which much of American commerce and society is not functioning, and which can give rise to a sense of loneliness or alienation for American Jews.
Jews also typically do not engage in the family gathering and religious worship activities that are central to Christmas Eve for Christians.
Typical contemporary activities have usually been limited to "Chinese and a movie"—consuming a meal at aChinese restaurant, which tend to be open for business on the Christmas holiday, and watching a movie at the theater or at home, stereotypically a rerun of the 1946 filmIt's a Wonderful Life.
Since the 1980s a variety of social events for young Jews have sprung up, and become popular, on Christmas Eve.These include theMatzo Ball,The Ball, and a number of local events organized by Jewish communities andlocal Jewish Federationsin North America.
In Mandarin, Christmas Eve is calledPíng'ān yè(平安夜, "peaceful night", etymologically from the Chinese title of the Christmas carolSilent Night). People exchange apples, because the word for "apple" (苹果) is a rhyming wordplay with "peace" (平安).
InInuitterritories, Christmas Eve is calledQuviasukvik. The Inuit celebrate it as their new year.
InNew Mexicoand areas ofSan Diego, California, Christmas Eve (nochebuena) is celebrated by lightingluminariasandfarolitos.
A number of historical events have been influenced by the occurrence of Christmas Eve.
DuringWorld War Iin 1914 and 1915 there was an unofficialChristmas truce, particularly betweenBritishandGermantroops. The truce began on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1914, whenGerman troopsbegan decorating the area around theirtrenchesin the region ofYpres, Belgium, for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, then continued the celebration by singingChristmas carols, most notablyStille Nacht("Silent Night"). TheBritish troopsin the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols. The two sides shouted Christmas greetings to each other. Soon there were calls for visits across the "No man's land" when small gifts were exchanged. The truce also allowed a breathing space during which recently killed soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Funerals took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects. At one funeral in No Man's Land, soldiers from both sides gathered and read a passage fromPsalm 23. The truce occurred in spite of opposition at higher levels of the military command. Earlier in the autumn, a call byPope Benedict XVfor an official truce between the warring governments had been ignored.
On 24 December 1968, in what was the most watched television broadcast to that date, theApollo 8astronautsBill Anders,Jim LovellandFrank Bormansurprised the world with a reading of the Creation from theBook of Genesisas they orbited the Moon.
In 1969, theUnited States Postal Serviceissued a stamp (Scott#1371) commemorating theApollo 8 flight around the Moon. The stamp featured a detail of Anders' famous photographEarthriseof the Earth "rising" over theMoon(NASA image AS8-14-2383HR), taken on Christmas Eve, and the words, "In the beginningGod...".