Today is: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve celebrates the birth of Christ, with many churches holding midnight services. It is not a federal holiday but many businesses and schools close for the day.

Christmas Eve is celebrated in anticipation of Christmas Day, and takes place the entire day, or evening prior to it. It is a Christian holiday that also is celebrated secularly by many who are not Christians. It is not an official federal holiday, so many businesses are open and many people have to work, but in many states people get a partial or full day off, as most places close early. Most schools are also closed on the day.

Within various denominations of Christianity, there are many different traditions that are followed. It is traditionally believed that Jesus was born on Christmas Eve night, and many churches hold services to commemorate his birth. Midnight Mass is common, but many times Mass is held earlier in the evening than midnight. In some churches the Christ Candle at the center of the Advent wreath is lit, and candlelight services are held.

Source: Checkiday.com

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Today is: Christmas Eve