Thursday, December 24, 2026
The evening of December 24, the vigil of Christmas. The Christmas season begins at sundown.
Christmas Eve is the evening of December 24 and the liturgical start of the Christmas season — the church calendar's day begins at sundown the night before, following the Jewish pattern from Genesis ('there was evening, and there was morning — the first day'). Many of the most beloved Christmas services happen on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day: the Midnight Mass dating to the 4th century (with the Christmas Vigil readings beginning at dusk), Lessons and Carols (an Anglican tradition begun at King's College, Cambridge in 1880), candlelight services where worshipers receive a small candle and sing 'Silent Night' by candlelight, and family gatherings that often precede the late-night service. The Christmas Gospel of Luke 2 is read on Christmas Eve in most traditions. The 'first Mass of Christmas' begins at midnight (or late evening) — proclaiming the Incarnation in the darkest hours of the year just as Christ entered the world's darkness.
Christmas Eve observance varies but commonly includes: a vigil Mass or evening service with the Christmas Gospel (Luke 2), candlelight services that conclude with 'Silent Night' sung by candlelight, the Lessons and Carols service (nine scripture readings interspersed with carols), Midnight Mass beginning at 11:30 PM or midnight, family gatherings with festive food (in many cultures, a special meatless meal called the Feast of the Seven Fishes), opening one gift on Christmas Eve (a common family tradition), and reading the Christmas story to children.
The traditional Bible readings for Christmas Eve include:
Christmas Eve is when the Christmas season liturgically begins. In Christian tradition (following the Jewish pattern), each day starts at sundown. So Christmas Eve services are technically the first Mass of Christmas, not just preparation. Many beloved Christmas services — Midnight Mass, Lessons and Carols, candlelight 'Silent Night' — happen on Christmas Eve.
Midnight Mass traditionally begins at 11:30 PM or midnight on Christmas Eve, though many parishes now offer it earlier (often 10 PM) to accommodate families. The Mass commemorates Christ's birth coming in the darkest hours of the year. It dates to at least the 4th century in Rome, where the pope celebrated three Masses on Christmas: midnight at the manger reliquary, dawn at St. Anastasia's, and morning at St. Peter's.
The traditional Christmas Eve readings are Isaiah 9:2-7 ('The people walking in darkness have seen a great light'), Titus 2:11-14 ('The grace of God has appeared'), and Luke 2:1-20 (the Christmas Gospel — the journey to Bethlehem, the manger, the angels, and the shepherds). The Lessons and Carols service uses nine readings tracing salvation history from the fall to the incarnation.
Lessons and Carols is a Christmas Eve service featuring nine Bible readings (the 'lessons') interspersed with traditional Christmas carols. The format was created by Edward Benson in 1880 at Truro Cathedral and popularized by King's College, Cambridge from 1918. The readings trace salvation history from Genesis 3 (the fall) through the prophets to Luke 2 (the nativity) and John 1 ('The Word became flesh'). King's College Cambridge's broadcast is one of the most listened-to services in the English-speaking world.