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Christmas Eve
Author: BobR
Date: 12/24/2025 13:44:27
Once again, it's Christmas Eve. Christmas is one of the only (maybe THE only) "religious" holiday that's also a national government-approved holiday. How did we get this one past the First Amendment test? A better question might be: How did this become a holiday at all?
There's been a lot of speculation as to whether Jesus was actually born on December 25th. The records are all hearsay, and - considering they were not written by unbiased witnesses - the date is suspect. It's pretty clear, though, that the Catholic church chose to set their important dates the same as the local's pagan festivals.
Easter occurs near the Vernal Equinox. Lent occurs near Imbolc. And, of course, Christmas occurs near Yule. What's interesting is that we still refer to this time of year as the "Yuletide". It still has a very prominent place in our yearly celebrations, with the Christmas tree, wreaths, and all the other décor coming straight from the pagans (and/or Wiccans).
As a kid, we celebrated a secular Christmas. Sure, there was a Crèche on the mantle, and I watched "Little Drummer Boy". For us, though, that was all part of the Big Story - not something we accepted as fact. The bigger focus was on Santa and presents, and the aforementioned co-opted pagan decorations. Religion was never a part of our household. I expect it's been like that for a lot of other households as well.
Christmas Eve was always special, though. We'd have a big dinner (usually prime rib and Yorkshire pudding), because Mom didn't want to have to cook a big meal on Christmas. After that, we'd get to open 1 present, and that was usually new pajamas. Then it was off to bed. The anticipation combined with the calm and quiet of a winter's day where there was no traffic, along with the feel of soft flannel, sent us off to slumberland dreaming of the Big Day.
And then... it was Christmas morning. The best representation of that was in "A Christmas Story":
Here's wishing you all a safe, calm, relaxing Christmas Eve (and Christmas Day), regardless of whether you celebrate it or not.
There's been a lot of speculation as to whether Jesus was actually born on December 25th. The records are all hearsay, and - considering they were not written by unbiased witnesses - the date is suspect. It's pretty clear, though, that the Catholic church chose to set their important dates the same as the local's pagan festivals.
Easter occurs near the Vernal Equinox. Lent occurs near Imbolc. And, of course, Christmas occurs near Yule. What's interesting is that we still refer to this time of year as the "Yuletide". It still has a very prominent place in our yearly celebrations, with the Christmas tree, wreaths, and all the other décor coming straight from the pagans (and/or Wiccans).
As a kid, we celebrated a secular Christmas. Sure, there was a Crèche on the mantle, and I watched "Little Drummer Boy". For us, though, that was all part of the Big Story - not something we accepted as fact. The bigger focus was on Santa and presents, and the aforementioned co-opted pagan decorations. Religion was never a part of our household. I expect it's been like that for a lot of other households as well.
Christmas Eve was always special, though. We'd have a big dinner (usually prime rib and Yorkshire pudding), because Mom didn't want to have to cook a big meal on Christmas. After that, we'd get to open 1 present, and that was usually new pajamas. Then it was off to bed. The anticipation combined with the calm and quiet of a winter's day where there was no traffic, along with the feel of soft flannel, sent us off to slumberland dreaming of the Big Day.
And then... it was Christmas morning. The best representation of that was in "A Christmas Story":
Here's wishing you all a safe, calm, relaxing Christmas Eve (and Christmas Day), regardless of whether you celebrate it or not.
Comments:
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Comment by 
TriSec on 12/24/2025 14:14:07
TriSec on 12/24/2025 14:14:07
They are nearly all gone now.
My aunt - my mother's sister - remains. But she is 1500 miles away in South Florida and in declining health.
All of our family traditions come from the Italian/Sicilian side. All the baking that I do. The house full of people. A big Christmas Dinner. These are the things that matter.
Cheap, Chinese-made trinkets that drive profits to the billionaires do not.
Be as Merry as you can during what I will categorize as a bleak holiday season. Hold on to those things that mean something to you, and make the most of them.
My aunt - my mother's sister - remains. But she is 1500 miles away in South Florida and in declining health.
All of our family traditions come from the Italian/Sicilian side. All the baking that I do. The house full of people. A big Christmas Dinner. These are the things that matter.
Cheap, Chinese-made trinkets that drive profits to the billionaires do not.
Be as Merry as you can during what I will categorize as a bleak holiday season. Hold on to those things that mean something to you, and make the most of them.
Comment by 
BobR on 12/24/2025 14:40:52
My mother was the one that drove Christmas in our house. Even after we all grew up, she was still putting up a tree, decorating the house, baking and cooking. The first Christmas after she passed, I went down to have Christmas Eve dinner with my siblings and father. The nice restaurant I picked out was closed due to a water line problem, and no one wanted to drive to another nice restaurant.
So - the first Christmas dinner after my Mom's passing was at Taco Mac.
I have not gone back there for Christmas since then. I still make some of the "family recipe" goodies, like the cutout cookies, the fudge, the Mexican wedding cakes... I've made prime rib and Yorkshire pudding and shared with neighbors.
When I go, so will my mother's traditions. I suppose that's normal; every family should have their own traditions... still, it's a little sad knowing that those recipes and that love will all be just dust in the wind...
BobR on 12/24/2025 14:40:52
Quote by TriSec:
They are nearly all gone now.
My aunt - my mother's sister - remains. But she is 1500 miles away in South Florida and in declining health.
All of our family traditions come from the Italian/Sicilian side. All the baking that I do. The house full of people. A big Christmas Dinner. These are the things that matter.
Cheap, Chinese-made trinkets that drive profits to the billionaires do not.
Be as Merry as you can during what I will categorize as a bleak holiday season. Hold on to those things that mean something to you, and make the most of them.
My mother was the one that drove Christmas in our house. Even after we all grew up, she was still putting up a tree, decorating the house, baking and cooking. The first Christmas after she passed, I went down to have Christmas Eve dinner with my siblings and father. The nice restaurant I picked out was closed due to a water line problem, and no one wanted to drive to another nice restaurant.
So - the first Christmas dinner after my Mom's passing was at Taco Mac.
I have not gone back there for Christmas since then. I still make some of the "family recipe" goodies, like the cutout cookies, the fudge, the Mexican wedding cakes... I've made prime rib and Yorkshire pudding and shared with neighbors.
When I go, so will my mother's traditions. I suppose that's normal; every family should have their own traditions... still, it's a little sad knowing that those recipes and that love will all be just dust in the wind...
Comment by TriSec on 12/24/2025 16:39:00
TriSec on 12/24/2025 16:39:00
I have taken solace in recent years that as I am making pizzeles in my kitchen - somewhere in most Italian households, someone is likely doing the same.
Some things are bigger than any one individual.
My brother couldn't be bothered to do any of this. Javi, and his baker girlfriend (and hopefully intended) will be inheriting all the recipes. Some still in my mother's hand.
Some things are bigger than any one individual.
My brother couldn't be bothered to do any of this. Javi, and his baker girlfriend (and hopefully intended) will be inheriting all the recipes. Some still in my mother's hand.