The vigil of the Nativity, when candlelit services open the feast of Christmas.
Dates
| Year | Dates | Reckoning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 24, 2025 | ||
| 2026 | December 24, 2026 |
Recurrence: Gregorian fixed date.
Significance
Christmas Eve is the vigil of the Nativity, kept on the evening of December 24 as Christmas begins. Churches hold candlelit services of lessons and carols and the first Mass of Christmas at night. It is the threshold between the waiting of Advent and the feast of the Incarnation.
Observance
Candlelit services of lessons and carols are held, and many churches celebrate the first Mass of Christmas at night.