Christmas Lights: On Christmas Eve, Candles Burn Bright (PHOTOS)

Lighting candles on Christmas Eve, also known as "Heilige Nacht," (Holy Night) is an ancient Christmas tradition. Typically, a big white candle is kept lit the entire night of Christmas Eve, signifying Christ, who is understood to be the "light of the world" (John 8:12, 9:5). In many churches throughout the world, people gather together on Christmas Eve in joyful anticipation of Christmas and participate in a special candlelight service with festive music, carols and scripture readings. Other popular traditions on Christmas Eve including gathering for Midnight Mass, nativity plays and Christmas vespers.

Comments

[wolfpeace]

02:08 PM on 12/26/2011

Starting on Christmas eve and going through Christmas day 1914 along most of the Western Front there was an unofficial Christmas truce. If it had held and was extended the world as we know it would be vastly different. Probable examples include: the U S would still be isolationist, Europe would probably still have nearly the pre 1914 borders, Hitler would not have come to power, Israel, Poland and other countries would not have gained independence, Communism would never have won in Czarist Russia and the European theater of WWII would not have been fought.

[Mrrock]

11:18 AM on 12/25/2011

Enjoy Christmas with this song
http://19ab3e03.yyv.co

[bacaja]

10:53 AM on 12/25/2011

How can such things be? Shouldn't crowd control drills be going on here?

[riverhouse]

09:30 AM on 12/25/2011

If there is anything the world needs it is some light in the dark recesses of the human heart. I take all the posted good wishes as coming from you to me, and I hope you will do the same when I wish you a Merry Christmas and all kindness in your life.

[abudotcom]

08:47 AM on 12/25/2011

Merry Christmas to all...

[p456]

08:07 AM on 12/25/2011

Lighting candles and praying to an imaginary GOD will not bring peace and prosperity to those in need. But if it helps people learn to vote in their best interests I say light them up.

Obama / Biden 2012.

[powerage]

05:02 AM on 12/25/2011

A very Merry Christmas to all. Welcome to the true LIGHT of the WORLD ...And the Angel said unto them, FEAR NOT: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to ALL PEOPLE. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 KJV

[momoluvsu]

03:50 AM on 12/25/2011

Typically, a big white candle is kept lit the entire night of Christmas Eve, signifying Christ, who is understood to be the "light of the world"......................that's a beautiful religious tradition. Christmas services are the best times to go to church.
Merry Christmas every one!!

[Fit2betied]

12:21 AM on 12/25/2011

The flame of each candle represents hope that one day we will all live in Peace and harmony.

To all people of the world,

May you have a warm, safe and Happy Holidays!

[fanofariana]

10:28 AM on 12/25/2011

We will leave in Peace when religions is abolished.Happy holidays!

[HelloFunnyWorld]

11:33 PM on 12/24/2011

Merry Christmas Huff

Merry Christmas Everyone

[Lahonda]

10:24 PM on 12/24/2011

Merry Christmas folks!

[maria52]

10:13 PM on 12/24/2011

Thank you so much Huff Post for the beautiful pictures. We have our candles lit tonight, also.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

[budhoffmann]

08:35 PM on 12/24/2011

As a Catholic Christian, I wish everyone in the world blessings and good will -- people of all faiths and religious persuasions -- agnostics and atheists, as well. May 2012 be a better year than 2011, and may peace and understanding prevail, at last.

[CMR64]

06:16 PM on 12/24/2011

beautiful I plan on lighting some myself tonight Merry Christmas to every one ...!!!

[HarleyOpenRoad]

04:56 PM on 12/24/2011

Excellent!