Christmas Eve 2021 is celebrated every year on the 24th of December i.e. just one day before Christmas fall, to commemorate the birth of Jesus. It is not observed as the main event, you can compare it by Naraka Chaturdashi (A day before Diwali) but both Christmas and before christmas have their own importance in Christianity.
Mainly on this day people spend much of their time cleaning and decorating their houses and like to pray in the churches in the evening.
Meaning of Christmas Eve
Eve is called a day before any festival and Event, every festival has its own customs and tradition to celebrate, like in Hinduism, a day before Diwali, celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi. In the same way, Christians celebrate Eve i.e. on December 24 before Christmas Day. On the other hand, if you want to know the meaning of Christmas, then definitely read this post:-
Why Eve is celebrated?
There is no official birth of Jesus available, yet we have been celebrating Christmas day every year on 25'th December, on the other hand, at the beginning of any big festival, we need many small and big things to purchase, due to which Black Friday sale is also began as Christmas shopping in most of the countries.
People like to decorate their homes, doors with great enthusiasm on Christmas, and so much work is not possible on the festivity day, that's why people celebrate Eve before Christmas.
According to the second opinion, the feast of Saint Nicholas was celebrated every year on 6 December, but after the 16th century, it is merged with Christmas day and is celebrated on 24 December.
Tradition
A day before 25th December i.e. on 24th December (Friday), the people of Christianity clean their homes and churches and decorate them with colorful lights, colorful balloons, paper fans, garlands of flowers. Apart from this, decorate the Christmas tree with lights, small colorful gifts, bright moon stars, small colorful balls, and Santa Claus's hat.
On the night of Eve, young people of all Christian people gather and go to everyone's house to sing the songs related to the birth of Lord Jesus and also decorate the tables to tell about the birth of Lord Jesus Christ.
Apart from this, priests and people of Christian (Christian) religion in churches pray to Lord Isha Christ by taking candles in their hands. Apart from this, on this day poor people are fed winter clothes and food, all friends, brothers and sisters, and elders share gifts with each other.