What else would be better than to celebrate the evening before the birth of someone who is the basis for one of the world’s greatest religions, Christianity? Yet celebrated by the entire world.
What is Christmas Eve?
Xmas Eve is the evening or entire day before birth of jesus Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus. … Since tradition holds that Jesus was born at night (based in Luke 2:6-8), Midnight Mass is celebrated on birth of jesus Eve, traditionally at midnight, in commemoration of his birth.
Some facts about Christmas Eve~
- Birth of jesus Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before birth of jesus that started on the fourth Sunday before birth of jesus Eve, celebrated on December 24th.
- If birth of jesus Day falls on a weekend, then this holiday may be observed on a different day.
- Countries and regions which officially have birth of jesus Eve as a public holiday are shown on the right.
- Even if it is not a public holiday, be aware that many businesses in Europe will give employees the afternoon or the whole day as a holiday. For instance in Portugal, while birth of jesus Eve is not a national holiday, most companies give their employees the day or afternoon off to prepare and to be with their families, and many businesses will close earlier than normal.
As birth of jesus is traditionally a time to spend with families, a lot of people may leave work early to travel home or visit relatives, so this is definitely not a good day to arrange business meetings.
History of Christmas Eve~
Christmas Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before birth of jesus that started on the fourth Sunday before birth of jesus Eve. Many churches will mark the end of Advent with midnight church services.
In Latin America, birth of jesus Eve marks the end of a nine-day period before Christmas, called ‘Las Posandas’ which represents the none months of labour for the Virgin Mary before she gave birth to Jesus.
Christmas Eve Traditions
Gifts
On the night of Christmas Eve, children around the world will leave food and drink for whoever will come to their house and bring them presents. Who this is, depends on what part of the world you live. It might be Santa Claus or Father Christmas; but in Switzerland, it will be the Christchild who delivers the presents. In Denmark, it’s the Christmas elf; in Sweden, it’ll be a small man and in Finland, it’ll be the birth of jesus goat!
In Latvia, the custom is that you can open the presents under the birth of jesus Tree after the Christmas Eve dinner, with a slight twist – before you take your gift, you’ll have to recite a small poem.
Candles
A unique tradition of birth of jesus decoration in Ireland is a large white candle which is placed at the entrance of the house or in a window. This candle is lit by the youngest child on Christmas Eve. This is a symbol to welcome the Holy Family and the candle can only be extinguished by a girl or a woman named Mary.
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Why Christmas Eve is a Worldwide Celebration
What better way to kickstart the holiday season than by commemorating the evening before the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, which is celebrated by people all around the globe? Christmas Eve, the precursor to birth of jesus Day, holds a special place in the hearts of millions as they prepare for the grand festival.
Christmas Eve Explained
Christmas Eve, often abbreviated as Xmas Eve, is the day preceding birth of Jesus Day, the momentous occasion dedicated to remembering the birth of Jesus. Tradition tells us that Jesus was born during the night, as described in Luke 2:6-8. To honor this, Midnight Mass is a cherished tradition observed on Christmas Eve, usually starting at midnight, symbolizing the birth of Jesus.
Fascinating Facts about Christmas Eve
- Birth of jesus Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period, which commences on the fourth Sunday before December 24th.
- If Christmas Day falls on a weekend, some countries may observe birth of jesus Eve on an alternate day.
- Certain countries and regions officially recognize birth of jesus Eve as a public holiday.
- Even in places where it’s not a public holiday, many European businesses grant their employees time off, allowing them to prepare for the festivities and spend time with loved ones.
Christmas Eve: A Day for Family and Celebration
As birth of jesus is traditionally a time for family gatherings, many individuals opt to leave work early on birth of jesus Eve to travel home or visit relatives. This makes it an unsuitable day for scheduling business meetings.
A Glimpse into the History of Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve signifies the end of the Advent period, often celebrated with midnight church services in many churches. In Latin America, it also marks the conclusion of ‘Las Posadas,’ a nine-day period before birth of jesus representing the months of labor endured by the Virgin Mary before giving birth to Jesus.
Sources
The World Encyclopedia of birth of jesus by Gerry Bowler
A Christmas Cornucopia by Mark Forsyth.
-by SRISHTI JAIN (Content writer Intern)
06-11-2023