Christmas Eve Traditions Around The World — And Some In Maryland, Too

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Christmas Eve, or Dec. 24, marks the night before Christmas celebrations and, for many cultures around the world, is where some of the most exciting parts of the holiday happen.

In the biblical story, the night before Christ’s birth is when an angel appeared to the shepherds to bring them great news for all people: that a Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in Bethlehem, setting the stage for the shepherds to journey there and then spread the word about the birth. The night is one of great hope and anticipation and is the subject of hymns and songs celebrating the “holy night.”

There are some common elements for Christmas Eve traditions, most notably a feast. Santa Claus and his variations have also been widely adopted, and Christmas Eve is one of the most popular days for church during the year.

You might recognize a few of these festive traditions as ones we have in Maryland, too. Over the years, traditions from other countries have found their way into the United States thanks to our history of accepting immigrants into the “melting pot” and offering shelter and safety — another timeless message of Christmas.

Italy

Southern Italian Catholics have a “Feast of the Seven Fishes” on Christmas Eve. During Advent, Catholics are not supposed to consume meat. Christmas Eve is the last night without meat and celebrates the end of the season and beginning of a new one, while bringing the family together to cook and eat. There’s no definitive answer on why it’s seven fishes, but each family creates its own menu and customs around the meal.

Italian-American families in Maryland will often include Maryland seafood staples like crab, rockfish and shrimp.

Mexico

In Mexico, people celebrate Nochebuena with a feast followed by midnight Mass. After Mass, families and communities set off fireworks to celebrate the birth of Christ. Sometimes, celebrations continue into the early morning, where families go home to get some rest or go straight into opening presents.

Iceland

Iceland’s “Yule Lads” are a tradition that actually starts Dec. 12 and lasts for 12 days as the 13 mischievous sons of an ogre mother, Gryla, leave gifts and treats in children’s shoes, alongside their giant Yule Cat. The Yule Lads were originally trickster trolls, but the tradition has morphed into a more family-friendly version. If you’re in Iceland, you might spot Yule Lads at one of the Christmas markets.

Norway

A Norwegian tradition on Christmas Eve is to hide away all the brooms and brushes to discourage evil spirits from picking them up and riding around in the night. This tradition harkens back to yuletide beliefs, when people thought that supernatural creatures, like elves or witches, were more active on holy nights. This was a simple and protective, albeit superstitious, measure to keep the house and everyone in it safe on Christmas Eve.

Germany

Germany is known for its incredible Christmas markets and its candlelit Christmas Eve church services. These services are peaceful and serene and usher in Christmas Day by sharing a message of love and togetherness. They often include carols, choirs or bells.

Lutheran, Methodist and Baptist churches around Maryland often share German religious traditions, brought here by early farmers and settlers. You’ll find many candlelit services around Maryland on Christmas Eve.

Ukraine

Some Ukrainian households decorate their trees with small, decorative spiders and webs. The tradition comes from a folk story, which varies by region. Popular retellings say that an impoverished widow and her children tried to grow a Christmas tree from a pinecone. When they failed, the children cried. Hearing their cries, the tree grew, and the spiders living in the house decorated it with beautiful, shining webs. The family experienced good fortune from that day forward. Now, as custom, Ukrainians don’t clean spiderwebs or cobwebs they find inside during Christmas and add glittering web decorations to their trees.

Christmas Eve is full of beautiful traditions, and it’s fascinating to see them passed down through the ages. No matter how you choose to celebrate — whether it’s with a candlelit service or a stuffed ham — keeping holiday traditions alive is a fulfilling part of the season.

What are your favorite traditions? Tell us about them!

Santa’s in town, and so is our holiday poll: When do you deck the halls at your house?

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