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The month of December is very special for Christians around the world as it kick-starts the beginning of several joyous celebrations. This includes our very own Christmas, Christmastide, Advent, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, St. Nicholas Day, St. Stephen’s Day, the Feast of the Epiphany and so on. Let’ look at some of these celebrations.

St. Nicholas Day
It is celebrated on December 6 in memory of 4th century saint St. Nicholas.  It is observed as a festival for children all over the world. St. Nicholas had a reputation of being a bringer of gifts and thus became the model for Santa Claus.

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve, as the name commends, refers to the preceding day of the Christmas day. In most of the western countries, it is a full or partial holiday. Since Jesus Christ is believed to have born at night, Midnight Mass is celebrated on Christmas Eve. Gifts are given to friends, relatives and family members on this day. On Christmas Eve, people put Christmas tree in their houses and decorate it with lights and ornaments. Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus are created and displayed during this season. The other items of Christmas decor include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels. Stockings are hung over the fireplace for the Santa Claus to place the Christmas gifts. In most places, the decorations are taken down only on the Twelfth Night, the evening of January 5.

Christmas
This day is celebrated as a commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate it with much fanfare. The different activities done on this day include gift-giving, christmas gift hampers, exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal, display of decorations, illumination, and so on.

Christmastide
Also known as Twelvetide and twelve days of Christmas, it refers to the period from Christmas Eve to the evening of 5 January, the day before Epiphany.

Boxing Day
Known as the St. Stephen’s Day or the Feast of St. Stephen, it is celebrated in memory of St. Stephen, a Christian saint. It usually occurs on 26th or 27th of December and on this day Christians prepare a big feast.

Epiphany
It is a Christian feast day. The Epiphany or the Feast of the Epiphany falls on January 6 and refers to the disclosure of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.