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Christmas Eve
noun
- the evening or the day preceding Christmas.
Christmas Eve
noun
- the evening or the whole day before Christmas Day
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Word History and Origins
Origin of Christmas Eve1
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Example Sentences
Josh Bell and his dad were about to hit a Christmas Eve workout when Bell’s phone buzzed.
A man named Colonel Shoup was on duty Christmas Eve, Hillier says.
When Santa Claus takes off on Christmas Eve, he won’t be doing it in secret.
My cousin also wants to fly from North Carolina to New Jersey, spend Christmas Eve with our family and then visit with other family members.
Abercrombie & Fitch, for instance, has told shoppers on its web site that December 4 is the cut off to be sure items will arrive by Christmas Eve—unless they’re willing to pay extra shipping.
Both have different venues in cities across the country on Christmas Eve (and in some cases, Christmas night, too).
Throughout Christmas eve and day, the world is monitoring with bated breath.
Many will simply stay away from crowds and stay home this Christmas Eve, which could be a very silent night indeed.
So here, for your Christmas Eve pleasure, are 20 of my favorites, 10 from the ecclesiastical division and 10 secular.
Take, for example, the recently rebranded Popeyes Bahamas Bowl to be held on Christmas Eve.
And when cool silence came again, Hugh begged that the two would have their Christmas Eve dinner with him, at his hotel.
Another less noted partisan appeared before Castlemaine on Christmas Eve with thirty sword and target men.
Christmas Eve don't seem to prevent people from dyin' an' bein' turned out o' house an' home.
And besides there is going to be a very smart dance here Christmas Eve that I particularly wish to attend.
The neighbors flocked in on Christmas eve to see Mrs. Darcy's cabin.
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More About Christmas Eve
What is Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve is the day or the evening before Christmas, the Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.
Most Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, making Christmas Eve December 24. But Christmas is celebrated on January 7 in the Orthodox Church due to the use of a different calendar, making Christmas Eve fall on January 6.
The term Christmas Day is sometimes used to refer to Christmas to distinguish it from Christmas Eve, as in Are you arriving on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Christmas is also widely observed in secular (nonreligious) ways. Popular activities include the decoration of a Christmas tree and the exchange of gifts. Most people exchange gifts on Christmas morning, but some exchange them or at least a few on Christmas Eve.
By those who celebrate Christmas, Christmas Eve is often seen as a festive time that’s associated with a sense of wonder and anticipation. Many families have special traditions for Christmas Eve.
Christians often attend church on Christmas Eve, sometimes at midnight of Christmas Day, or later on Christmas morning.
In secular terms, Santa Claus is said to deliver gifts to children’s homes on Christmas Eve.
Example: I love Christmas Eve even more than Christmas—the sense of anticipation is the best part!
Where does Christmas Eve come from?
The first records of the term Christmas Eve in English come from the 1300s. The word eve refers to the day or, especially, the night before a holiday. It is used in the same way in New Year’s Eve. (The word Halloween comes from an abbreviation of Allhallows Even, in which even means the same thing as eve—it is the day before Allhallows, or All Saints Day).
In religious terms, the Christmas season is sometimes considered to extend from Christmas Eve to the feast of the Epiphany or Twelfth Day on January 6. This period is sometimes called Christmastide, though this word can also be used in a more general way to refer to the period from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. The word Christmastime is often used more generally to refer to the entire month of December.
Did you know ... ?
What are some synonyms for Christmas Eve?
- the night before Christmas
- the day before Christmas
What are some words that share a root or word element with Christmas Eve?
- Christmas Day
- Christmas morning
- Christmastime
- Christmas tree
- eve
- New Year’s Eve
What are some words that often get used in discussing Christmas Eve?
How is Christmas Eve used in real life?
Christmas Eve is often when many of the main Christmas festivities begin. Many people have special traditions for Christmas Eve.
One of the most special Christmas Eve traditions in the Polish culture is the sharing of “Opłatek” before dinner. You wish each other blessings for the coming year. I’ve carried this tradition on with my family each year. #MyHolidayTradition #31crazyNYMnights pic.twitter.com/qRzFmN9E1w
— Krystyne Santos (@KrystyneSantos) December 2, 2020
My favorite holiday tradition would probably spending Christmas Eve with my cousins, it’s really the only time we can all get together because everyone’s so busy, but it’s a lot of fun and the only holiday we all really look forward to cause it means we can ALL see each other 💕
— Justice ☾🧣 (@SaturnSwifts13) December 3, 2020
just watched it's a Wonderful life 😭❤ oh god my heart strings, love it ❤ The best xmas film ever,I remember every year as a kid watching it Christmas Eve night with Dad, memories I cherish ❤ so wish I could sit with him this Christmas Eve & watch it 🥰
Yes I no I'm soppy 😂— Wendy Ward ❤ (@Wend3211) November 29, 2020
Try using Christmas Eve!
True or False?
All Christians observe Christmas Eve on December 24.
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