“Christmas Eve, a perfect night to express affection for your family, to forgive those who failed you and to forget past mistakes.”
A day prior to Christmas, that is on December 24, the celebration of Christmas eve begins. Therefore, people all around the world celebrate the Christmas eve with their families and friends. We follow the traditions that has been started by our ancestors to celebrate the festivities. We decorate our evergreen, prepare feasts, host dinners and game nights and what not. But do we really know what all of these decorations or traditions symbolizes? Well, we at Bragsocial have brought you the major traditions and symbolic significance of the Christmas Eve to help you take a better look in our history. Here are some Popular traditions that people follow on Christmas eve and what actually they symbolize.
source- thespruce.com
Symbols of Christmas and their Significance
Christmas Tree
The most important part of the Christmas is a Christmas tree. Christmas can not be the same without the evergreen. The evergreens symbolizes the life. Additionally, these evergreens stand beautifully in the harsh snows contrasting so well as green and white. Decorating the Christmas tree dates as far back as sixteenth century.
Star tree-Topper
All around the world, the Christmas tree is bound to be topped with a shiny golden star. But not many of us really know what that star symbolizes. The star has said to be their when Jesus was born. The star led the three wise men to Bethlehem to visit Jesus. And now, we put the star on top of our Christmas tree as a symbol of the guiding light of Jesus Christ.
Wreath
A circular decoration that we hang on our doors that is decorated with evergreens and holly. The continuity of the wreath reminds us the salvation that Jesus brought to this world. However, it also symbolizes the God’s eternal love for the people.
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Angels
Angels presents that the God is here, with us, among us. We hand little angels on our evergreens to symbolize the God, so that he be present with us in our celebration.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe represents romance and fertility since ancient times. The custom to kiss under the mistletoe dates back to around eighteen hundreds, ever since Washington Irving mentioned it in his stories.
Lights
Christmas falls on the winter solicit, the coldest and darkest night. We put up lights to light up the darkness. However, the Christmas lights symbolizes the Jesus’ status as the Light of the World. The way he saved the human race from darkness and brought light into everyone’s life.
Christmas gifts
The Christmas is not complete without the Christmas gifts. We share gifts with our friends and families. The reason why exchange gifts symbolizes the gifts The Three Wise men brought when the Jesus was born.
Christmas Creche
This is something that you will find in most of the missionary homes, convent schools as well as few homes too. The Christmas creche depicts the Nativity scene. With the help of toys, the birth of Jesus Christ is depicted.
source- thefactsite.com
Christmas eve Traditions
Hot Chocolate and Christmas Stories
Amidst the winter snow, get cozy with your family around the fire place. And share a cup or two of hot chocolate with marshmallows. Before your little ones goes to bed, read out a Christmas story to them. Or you can watch a Christmas movie with family and friends.
Sing a Christmas Carol
Make up festive dinner and go around the neighborhood singing Christmas carols. Surprise your neighbors by singing Christmas carols at their doorsteps entertaining them. Moreover, there could be Christmas cookies and hot cocoa in it for you.
Cookies for Santa and Reindeer Food
Whip up some cookie batter and bake them up for Santa. You can never go wrong with sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies with a glass of milk. For their long journey, Santa’s reindeer will need food too. Grab some carrots and oats, mix up a bag for Rudolph and his friends too.
source- madeformums.com
Christmas Mass
According to the tradition Jesus Christ was born at midnight. Therefore, many churches hold a celebratory midnight mass. Then at midnight, the churches ring their bells and hold prayers to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas Decorations
As you get yourself a Christmas evergreen, decorating them on the Christmas eve with your family could be nice. Hang on the baubles, tinsels and star on the top. The custom to hang the stockings over the fireplace is a must. So if you use your fireplace quite often, hang up them on the Christmas eve.
To spend the Christmas eve with your loved ones and following all the customs and traditions of our ancestors. Hosting feasts, game nights or just spending time with you family on the Christmas eve, sipping hot cups of cocoa with sweet little marshmallows. Maybe this is how you need to spend your Christmas eve. Remembering who all we lost and cherishing what all have still got. Christmas eve is also a good day to start your own Christmas traditions.
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