Christmas Eve is the name of the day before the Christmas, when the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated. This is culmination of intense preparations for Jesus’ coming to earth in the form of children which started 4 weeks ago, on the first Sunday of Advent.
On Christmas Eve, people are decorating house for Christmas, decorating the Christmas tree, baking cakes etc. Traditionally, people should fast and not eat meat on the Christmas Eve, although the Catholic Church does not consider this fasting as mandatory.
The culmination of preparation for the Christmas is Midnight Mass, the Mass that is served in the churches at midnight, or more often children’s Midnight Mass at 20 p.m. in order for the youngest believers to experience the Eucharistic celebration of the birth of the little God with their parents.
Christmas Eve is rich in traditions and folklore contents. Day before Christmas got its name most likely from the word vigil, which means to be awake, be alert, be sleepless, i.e. means a night in which everyone is awake. The highlight of this vigil is a celebration of Midnight Mass.
Number of customs are associated with vigil: bringing the Yule log that is burned in the fireplace that night and the night after, then Christmas candles, one or three. Vigil begins in the evening when the family gathers around the table, still with fasting dishes, and bringing the Yule log and straw.
Besides bringing of the Yule-log people are usually bringing straw as well. Sometime this straw is not spread only on the ground but also on a table under a tablecloth, which is followed by dinner with specially selected dishes.
Christmas Eve in the city preserved only part of the rural tradition, but it is celebrated with Christmas tree, while singing or listening to Christmas songs and with specially prepared dinner. Participation in the Midnight Mass is very common among all Catholics in B&H.
(Source: klix.ba)
