Christian Community Marks Christmas Eve today

Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. 

Christmas celebrations in the denominations of Western Christianity have long started on the night of December 24, partly due to the Christian liturgical day starting at sunset, a practice inherited from Jewish tradition and based on the story of Creation in the Book of Genesis: "And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day. 

Many churches still ring their church bells and hold prayers in the evening of December 24.

Christmas Day is observed 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 in Christendom and Western society.

Midnight Mass is held on Christmas Eve with nativity plays. 

A nativity scene may be erected indoors or outdoors, and is composed of figurines depicting the infant Jesus resting in a manger, with his mother Mary, and Joseph his father.

The scene also tells the story of the three (3) wise men that the Bible mentioned brought gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, according to the book of Matthew 2:11. 

Many Churches since tradition hold that Jesus was born at night (based on Luke 2:6-8),

This ceremony, which is held in churches throughout the world, to celebrate the birth of Christ, which is believed to have occurred at 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 of Christmas carols, the illumination and enjoyment of Christmas lights, trees, and other decorations, the wrapping, exchange and opening of gifts, and general preparation for Christmas Day.
 
Legendary Christmas gift-bearing figures including Santa Claus, Father Christmas,  are also often said to depart for their annual journey to deliver presents to children around the world on Christmas Eve.

In Ghana, special festive music for organ, vocal and brass choirs and candlelight services make Christmas Eve one of the highlights in Churches.

Merry Christmas To Our Cherished Visitors To GBCONLINE.

Portions of this article was culled from Wikipedia. 

Written by Ruth Abla Adjorlolo, Online Editor.


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