I recognize that, theoretically speaking, there isn’t anything that is more special about tonight than any other night. Â so. Â there.
At least December 21st, the winter solstice, has some astronomical significance. But there is nothing about the sun, moon and stars that seem to put Christmas Eve, Dec 24th on the âBig Dealâ calendar. Historically speaking, it was Emperor Julius that declared December 25th the celebration of Jesusâ birth, but actually the calendar itself has changed since then. In fact, in Russia, the orthodox church still celebrates Christmas on January 7th (which would be December 25th in Julianâs Calendar.) And even if youâre looking for the actual feast day for Saint Nicholas, the day when children used to put their shoes out in hopes of getting gifts, look to December 6th in western countries, not, âChristmas.â
So, again, there is nothing officially magical about this particular night. If you think about it, it is just a night on which Christians continue to tell a part of a very elongated story about the life of Christ that takes up some part of every season of every year.  And they do it over, and over and over and over again. So, there you have it. It is not a magical night.  âŚUnless, of course, you believe, as I do, that telling stories changes everythingâŚ