Today is Christmas Eve! Take a look at these three fun facts about the night before Christmas:
- The traditional Christmas carol “Silent Night” was first performed in the Austrian village of Oberndorf on Christmas Eve in 1818. It was performed for the public at a midnight mass in the Saint Nicholas parish church.
- You might already know that the astronauts on the Apollo 8 mission of 1969 were the first humans to orbit the Moon but did you know that it was broadcasted live on Christmas Eve?!
- Celebrating Christmas Eve has been a tradition almost as long as the Christmas holiday itself. This is historically linked to the history of Christian public worship beginning at sunset with the ringing of bells; therefore, a celebration of Christmas would begin, literally, on the Eve of Christmas. Also, jingle-bells!