Christmas Eve is a religious festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christian churches usually hold a special mass at midnight to commemorate God's savior of mankind. This midnight mass is a tradition of many American families. Near midnight, people will gather in the church, sing hymns, pray and thank Jesus for his birth.
Christmas Eve is an important family reunion day. On this day, Americans usually spend warm moments with their families. Family members will get together, share Christmas gifts, enjoy delicious food, or make and decorate Christmas candy and cookies together. These activities have enhanced the emotional ties between relatives and deepened the parent-child relationship and husband-wife relationship.
Christmas Eve in the United States has both religious and cultural significance, and it is also an important time for family reunion, Christmas tree decoration and gift exchange. Whether attending mass in church or enjoying family warmth at home, Americans are grateful, celebrate and enjoy the joy brought by festivals on this day. By understanding the culture and tradition of Christmas Eve in America, we can better experience and share the happiness and blessings of this festival.
The way countries celebrate Christmas Eve.
1. In Canada, families usually open presents after Christmas Eve mass. Others usually only open one gift on Christmas Eve, and leave the rest for Christmas.
French Canadians will hold a grand banquet after Christmas Eve Mass, usually called "Reveillon", which will last until the early hours of Christmas. According to British recipes, traditionally, the ingredients of this meal include meat slaughtered and prepared in the first few months of winter. Now, Nova Scotia lobster and scallops will be added to the menu.
2. Fasting in Russia usually lasts until after evening prayers or when the stars come out. After fasting, some people will eat a traditional Russian food called kutya. Kutya is made of grain, honey and poppy seeds, and relatives and friends enjoy food from the same bowl as a symbol of unity. During that time, they were not allowed to eat meat.