The 24 of December is Christmas Eve

 

 

What is Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve falls on December 24, the night before Christmas Day, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.. Christmas Eve is a common term for this special day and is used all over the Christian world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Religious Customs associated with Christmas Eve
Many Roman Catholics and Anglicans traditionally celebrate a Midnight Mass (Eucharist) at church on Christmas Eve. Midnight Mass begins just before midnight on  and the ceremony, which includes singing carols, marks the beginning of Christmas Day. In the UK the 'Nine Lessons and Carols' are broadcast annually from King's College, Cambridge on Christmas Eve which has established itself as one of the signs that Christmas has begun in the United Kingdom. It is also broadcasted to many parts of the world via the BBC World Service. Another religious custom associated with this date are the Nativity plays which are produced by churches all around the world. The Nativity plays tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and children are often selected to take part in these plays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Religious Customs associated with Christmas Eve
The most famous of all non-religious customs and traditions relate to the story and legend of Santa Claus. The legend of Santa Claus is that he travels from his home in the North Pole, where he lives with his wife Mrs. Claus, and visits all the children in the world on Xmas Eve (December 24th). All year long Santa Claus and his helpers, who are elves, work together in their workshop making toys for everyone. These toys and gifts are delivered to the children by Santa Claus on his magic sleigh which is drawn by flying reindeers. Children are taught that Santa Claus will check whether they have been Naughty or Nice before leaving the gifts. He and his reindeer and sleigh are often depicted flying across the night skies and landing on the rooftops of houses.