Christmas Eve Traditions

Christmas Eve is one of the most celebrated religious events that is held on the 24th of December. The day is significant as this marks the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, which took place at the mid of the night or on 25th of December. Christmas Eve traditions like prayer services and 5 course Christmas dinners have been followed since yesteryears. In today’s modern world too, some of the Christmas Eve traditions are followed with great respect and devotion.

Why follow Christmas Eve Traditions:

Christmas Eve traditions play a major role in our lives. These traditions carry forward the essence of the festival. Apart from this, people get to know the reason behind celebrating this beautiful festival. We often celebrate a festival without even knowing the stories that are attached to it. Christmas Eve is the time when you can take some time out of your busy life and devote some time in understanding the Bible and its various implications, through the traditions and customs.

Religious traditions:

Christmas Eve traditions are many, though religious traditions are ones that are followed since yesteryears. Some of the common religious Christmas Eve traditions are:

Church Service:

Attending church services on the Christmas Eve are a common practice. Families visit the nearby chapel or church and attend the Christmas Eve prayer service. Those who are a part of the choir, gear up for the midnight mass carol singing while others; wait for the midnight masses to happen. Even in a fast paced life like this, attending prayer services are a major tradition followed on Christmas Eve.

Cookies and Milk for Santa Claus:

Keeping milk and cookies for your favorite Santa Claus is indeed one of the best traditions, which only children but adults too love to take part in. As per the beliefs carried out through the centuries, Santa Claus and reindeer would cross from in front of the homes. Cookies and milk are kept outside the homes as gifts for them.

Opening a Christmas present:

Neatly wrapped Christmas presents are always alluring. Opening one of the Christmas presents is the tradition that every one loves to follow. Often, kids are very excited to open their gift packets. This Christmas Eve tradition gives them a license to open one of the gifts.

Fun Christmas Eve traditions:

Christmas is all about fun and enjoyment. Why not indulge yourself in some interesting Christmas Eve traditions this year. You may even invent a tradition of your own that you would follow every year on Christmas Eve. Some of the fun traditions for the occasion are:

Prepare Christmas Eve snacks and dinners at home
Prepare designer cookies for Santa and the reindeers
Make Christmas candles at home

Unique Christmas Eve traditions in the World:

There are various other traditions and customs followed throughout the world, on Christmas Eve. Some of the unique ones are as follows:

In Denmark, people have special feasts on Christmas Eve. Traditional dishes for this occasion include rice pudding with an almond. The almond is considered to a holy nut, which is said to bring luck to the family.
People maintain 24 hour fast before the Christmas D ay and during the Christmas Eve. The fast is broken with the grand feast. Traditional dishes included in the dinner are salad, fruits, fish recipes, spaghetti, sweets and anchovies.
On the Christmas Eve, people of Ireland follow a special custom of lighting a tall candle on the window sill of their house. The candle is often referred to be a guiding light for Mother Mary and Father Joseph. Another belief says that the candle is lit as a remembrance for Lord Jesus.