Deadly Dreams is a 1988 American psychological horror film directed by Kristine Peterson , and starring Mitchell Anderson , Juliette Cummins, and Xander Berkeley .
89-410: Alex Torme is haunted by the brutal murder of his parents on Christmas Eve when he was a child: His wealthy father's business associate, Norman Perkins, shot them to death over a financial dispute, and taunted Alex and his older brother, Jack, while donning a mask made from the face pelt of a fox . Perkins then turned the gun on himself, committing suicide. Alex suffers recurring nightmares in which he
178-480: A wedding , or a funeral service. In some Christian traditions they signify to people outside that a particular part of the service has been reached. The traditional European church bell (see cutaway drawing) used in Christian churches worldwide consists of a cup-shaped metal resonator with a pivoted clapper hanging inside which strikes the sides when the bell is swung. It is hung within a steeple or belltower of
267-714: A Christmas custom in the United Kingdom. It is broadcast outside the UK via the BBC World Service , and is also bought by broadcasters around the world. In the Byzantine Rite , Christmas Eve is referred to as Paramony ("preparation"). It is the concluding day of the Nativity Fast and is observed as a day of strict fasting by those devout Byzantine Christians who are physically capable of doing so. In some traditions, nothing
356-478: A bell suspended in a bell-cot at the apex of the nave roof, over the chancel arch, or hung in the church tower, in medieval churches. This bell was rung at the singing of the Sanctus and again at the elevation of the consecrated elements, to indicate to those not present in the building that the moment of consecration had been reached. The practice and the term remain in common use in many Anglican churches. Within
445-481: A carp (baked or fried) and a potato salad. In French-speaking places, Réveillon is a long dinner eaten on Christmas Eve. In Guam and the Northern Marianas , dishes include shrimp kelaguen ; coconut crab; and kadon octopus (octopus stewed in sweet peppers and coconut milk ). Beef is a rarity, but a popular dish is tinaktak , ground beef in coconut milk. While other Christian families throughout
534-443: A church or religious building, so the sound can reach a wide area. Such bells are either fixed in position ("hung dead") or hung from a pivoted beam (the "headstock") so they can swing to and fro. A rope hangs from a lever or wheel attached to the headstock, and when the bell ringer pulls on the rope the bell swings back and forth and the clapper hits the inside, sounding the bell. Bells that are hung dead are normally sounded by hitting
623-607: A common way to call the community together for all purposes, both sacred and secular. In some Christian traditions bell ringing was believed to drive out demons. Oriental Orthodox Christians , such as Copts and Indians , use a breviary such as the Agpeya and Shehimo to pray the canonical hours seven times a day while facing in the eastward direction ; church bells are tolled, especially in monasteries, to mark these seven fixed prayer times . In Christianity, some churches ring their church bells from belltowers three times
712-697: A day, at 9 am, noon and 3 pm to summon the Christian faithful to recite the Lord's Prayer ; the injunction to pray the Lord's prayer thrice daily was given in Didache 8, 2 f., which, in turn, was influenced by the Jewish practice of praying thrice daily found in the Old Testament , specifically in Psalm 55:17 , which suggests "morning and evening plus at noon", and Daniel 6:10 , in which
801-578: A drink made from reconstituted dried fruits. Other typical dishes are borscht , varenyky , and dishes made of fish , phaseolus and cabbage . The twelve dishes symbolize the Twelve Apostles . Just as in Poland, it is obligatory to try a portion of all of the dishes. The table is spread with a white cloth symbolic of the swaddling clothes the Child Jesus was wrapped in, and a large white candle stands in
890-446: A festive dinner is traditionally served for the family and close friends in attendance, when the first star (usually Sirius ) appears in the sky. Lithuanian Christmas Eve blends pagan and Christian traditions, as initially it was a celebration of the winter solstice. Traditionally, Lithuanians believed that animals could talk on that night, and it was possible to predict the future with charms and various games. Kūčios ("Holy Meal")
979-461: A holiday, which had stopped happening for several decades. In the Czech Republic, fasting on the day of Christmas Eve (or only eating meatless food) is a medieval tradition. The belief is that if one lasted until Christmas dinner, they would see a golden pig, which is a symbol of luck. A typical Christmas breakfast is a sweet braided bread vánočka . Christmas Eve dinner traditionally consists of
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#17329168567011068-489: A lie about working for a dance company in New York that does not exist. He proceeds to expose her, accusing her of being a gold digger only after Alex's inheritance. Later, Alex finds a butchered deer in his bathtub, but it disappears when he reports the incident to authorities. Maggie and Danny attempt to calm him, but he accuses Danny of planting the dead animal there, gaslighting him. Some time later, Maggie visits Jack, and
1157-780: A popular feature in some traditions. Midnight Mass is held in churches throughout the world and celebrates the birth of Christ, which is believed to have occurred at night. Midnight Mass is popular in Poland ( pasterka ) and Lithuania (piemenėlių mišios). In Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula , the Midnight Mass is also referred to as "Rooster's Mass" ( Misa de Gallo in Spanish, Missa do Galo in Portuguese and Missa del Gall in Catalan). In
1246-508: A powerful flame. In Cuban and Cuban-American tradition, the pig is sometimes cooked in a Caja China , a large box where an entire pig is placed below hot coals. The dinner features many side dishes and desserts, and often games of dominoes are played. The tradition is continued by Cuban families in Florida and the United States. The dinner on the 24th, Christmas Eve itself, is the center of
1335-668: A practice inherited from Jewish tradition and based on the story of Creation in the Book of Genesis : "And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." Many churches still ring their church bells and hold prayers in the evening; for example, the Nordic Lutheran churches. Since tradition holds that Jesus was born at night (based in Luke 2:6-8), Midnight Mass is celebrated on Christmas Eve, traditionally at midnight, in commemoration of his birth. The idea of Jesus being born at night
1424-405: A rifle, staging it as a suicide. Maggie lures Alex to his family's remote cabin on his birthday, where he is met by a drunken Jack. Jack confesses his resentment toward Alex over his lack of dedication to the family business, and the fact that Alex is due to inherit a large portion of it despite his lack of involvement. A fox-masked hitman hired by Jack chases Alex through the woods, shooting him in
1513-647: A traditional family celebration featuring the New Year tree . In accordance with the Christmas traditions of the Serbs , their festive meal has a copious and diverse selection of foods, although it is prepared according to the rules of fasting. As well as a round, unleavened loaf of bread and salt, which are necessary, this meal may comprise roast fish, cooked beans, sauerkraut , noodles with ground walnuts, honey, and wine. Families in some Slavic countries leave an empty place at
1602-474: Is a loud "open" strike followed by a muffled strike, which has a very sonorous and mournful effect. The tradition in the United Kingdom is that bells are only fully muffled for the death of a sovereign. A slight variant on this rule occurred in 2015 when the bones of Richard III of England were interred in Leicester Cathedral 532 years after his death. The term "Sanctus bell" traditionally referred to
1691-619: Is also a reminder of the cave in which Jesus was buried. The services of Christmas Eve are also similar to those of the Eve of Theophany (Epiphany), and the two Great Feasts are considered one celebration. In some Orthodox cultures, after the Vesperal Liturgy the family returns home to a festive meal, but one at which Orthodox fasting rules are still observed: no meat or dairy products (milk, cheese, eggs, etc.) are consumed (see below for variations according to nationality). Then they return to
1780-569: Is also the practice among the British Royal Family since it was introduced by Queen Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort —while in Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Malta, English Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, this occurs mostly on the morning of Christmas Day. In other Latin American countries, people stay awake until midnight , when they open
1869-621: Is an early poem by the English poet Letitia Elizabeth Landon entitled simply, [REDACTED] Bells . She returned to the subject towards the end of her life in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839 with [REDACTED] The Village Bells ., a poetical illustration to a picture by J. Franklin. How Soft the Music of those Village Bells. The sound of church bells is capable of causing noise that interrupts or prevents people from sleeping . A 2013 study from
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#17329168567011958-531: Is being murdered, Maggie phones her mother, and leaves a message saying that her father—who was in fact Norman Perkins—can finally "rest in peace." Deadly Dreams was released direct-to-video . An article in Fangoria stated that the film was available on home video by the Virgin Vision label as early as October 1988. It was released for the first time on DVD by Code Red on September 19, 2017. TV Guide gave
2047-551: Is composed of figurines depicting the infant Jesus resting in a manger, Mary, and Joseph. Other figures in the scene may include angels , shepherds , and various animals. The figures may be made of any material, and arranged in a stable or grotto. The Magi may also appear, and are sometimes not placed in the scene until the week following Christmas to account for their travel time to Bethlehem . While most home nativity scenes are packed away at Christmas or shortly thereafter, nativity scenes in churches usually remain on display until
2136-572: Is eaten until the first star appears in the evening sky, in commemoration of the Star of Bethlehem . The liturgical celebration begins earlier in the day with the celebration of the Royal Hours , followed by the Divine Liturgy combined with the celebration of Vespers , during which a large number of passages from the Old Testament are chanted, recounting the history of salvation. After the dismissal at
2225-468: Is often accompanied with wine or Bulgaria's traditional alcoholic beverage rakia , in the past olovina (a type of homemade rye beer). The meals used to be put on top of hay, directly on the floor, together with a ploughshare or a coulter . In Cuba, roasted pig ( lechón ) is often the center of Christmas Eve ( Nochebuena ). It is believed that the tradition dates back to the 15th century when Caribbean colonists hunted down pigs and roasted them with
2314-515: Is only done when the bells are stationary, and the clock mechanism actuates hammers striking on the outside of the sound-bows of the bells. In the cases of bells which are normally swung for other ringing, there is a manual lock-out mechanism which prevents the hammers from operating whilst the bells are being rung. In World War II in Great Britain, all church bells were silenced, to ring only to inform of an invasion by enemy troops. However this ban
2403-409: Is popular in the early evening, and Midnight Masses are also widespread in regions which are predominantly Lutheran. The old Lutheran tradition of a Christmas Vigil in the early morning hours of Christmas Day (Christmette) can still be found in some regions. In eastern and middle Germany , congregations still continue the tradition of " Quempas singing": separate groups dispersed in various parts of
2492-610: Is referred to simply as "the Third Day of the Nativity". The Saturday and Sunday following 25 December have special Epistle and Gospel readings assigned to them. 29 December celebrates the Holy Innocents . Byzantine Christians observe a festal period of twelve days , during which no one in the Church fasts, even on Wednesdays and Fridays, which are normal fasting days throughout the rest of
2581-514: Is reflected in the fact that Christmas Eve is referred to as Heilige Nacht (Holy Night) in German, Nochebuena (the Good Night) in Spanish and similarly in other expressions of Christmas spirituality, such as the song "Silent Night, Holy Night" . Many other varying cultural traditions and experiences are also associated with Christmas Eve around the world, including the gathering of family and friends,
2670-541: Is stalked by Perkins. An aspiring writer, Alex is pressured by Jack, who has taken over the family's business, to join him. Alex begins dating Maggie Kallir, a young dance student from New York City. Meanwhile, Alex discovers a fox mask in his friend Danny's house, and becomes convinced that Danny, a comical prankster, has been posing as Perkins to torment him, causing Alex to end their friendship. Maggie accompanies Alex to his parents' estate, where Jack resides, for dinner. Jack questions Maggie about her past, and catches her in
2759-495: Is the most important event of the year and family reunion. Dead relatives are remembered with an empty plate set at the table. The feast starts after the rise of the evening star. No products made from meat, milk and alcohol are allowed during the Kūčios. In all, 12 dishes are served, all of them rustic, made from grains, fish, dried fruit or mushrooms including kūčiukai . Small biscuits soaked in poppy seed milk are served. After
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2848-529: Is traditionally 12, but has been an odd number in the past. According to the Słownik etymologiczny języka polskiego ( Etymological Dictionary of the Polish Language ) by Aleksander Brückner , the number of dishes was traditionally related to social class: the peasants' vigil consisted of 5 or 7 dishes, the gentry usually had 9, and the aristocracy, 11 dishes, but the even number 12 is also found today to remember
2937-607: Is used to swing the bell through a larger arc, such as in the United Kingdom where full- circle ringing is practised. Bells which are not swung are "chimed", which means they are struck by an external hammer, or by a rope attached to the internal clapper, which is the tradition in Russia. In some churches, bells are often blessed before they are hung. In the Roman Catholic Church the name Baptism of Bells has been given to
3026-610: Is usually accompanied by traditional Christmas music known as " aguinaldos "; in Venezuela, the traditional music is known as joropo . During the Reformation in 16th- and 17th-century Europe, many Protestants changed the gift bringer to the Christ Child or Christkindl , and the date of giving gifts changed from 6 December to Christmas Eve. It is the night when Santa Claus makes his rounds delivering gifts to good children. Many trace
3115-726: The Canon of the Nativity that was chanted the night before during the Vigil). This greeting, together with many of the hymns of the feast, continue to be used until the leave-taking of the feast on 29 December. The first three days of the feast are particularly solemn. The second day is known as the Synaxis of the Theotokos , and commemorates the role of the Virgin Mary in the Nativity of Jesus . The third day
3204-535: The Easter Vigil . The Christian tradition of the ringing of church bells from a belltower is analogous to the Islamic tradition of the adhan from a minaret . 1st prayer is at 12am. 2nd prayer is at 6am. 3rd prayer is at 9am. 4th prayer is at 12pm. 5th prayer is at 3pm. 6th prayer is at 6pm. 7th prayer is at 9pm. Most Christian denominations ring church bells to call the faithful to worship, signalling
3293-545: The Eastern Orthodox Church there is a long and complex history of bell ringing, with particular bells being rung in particular ways to signify different parts of the divine services , Funeral tolls , etc. This custom is particularly sophisticated in the Russian Orthodox Church . Russian bells are usually stationary, and are sounded by pulling on a rope that is attached to the clapper so that it will strike
3382-493: The Philippines , the custom has expanded into the nine-day Simbang Gabi , when Filipinos attend dawn Masses (traditionally beginning around 04:00 to 05:00 PST ) from 16 December, continuing daily until Christmas Eve. In 2009 Vatican officials scheduled the Midnight Mass to start at 10 pm so that the 82-year-old Pope Benedict XVI would not have too late a night. A nativity scene may be erected indoors or outdoors, and
3471-601: The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich found that "An estimated 2.5-3.5 percent of the population in the Canton of Zurich experiences at least one additional awakening per night due to church bell noise." It concluded that "The number of awakenings could be reduced by more than 99 percent by, for example, suspending church bell ringing between midnight and 06 h in the morning", or by "about 75 percent (...) by reducing
3560-421: The Twelve Apostles . It is obligatory to try a portion of all of them. Some traditions specify that the number of guests cannot be odd. In Poland, gifts are unwrapped on Christmas Eve, as opposed to Christmas Day. It comes from fusing the traditions of Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) and Christmas. In the past, gifts were opened on the morning of Saint Nicholas Day. In the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico ,
3649-660: The theological point that the purpose of the Incarnation was to make possible the Crucifixion and Resurrection . This is illustrated in Eastern icons of the Nativity, on which the Christ Child is wrapped in swaddling clothes reminiscent of his burial wrappings . The child is also shown lying on a stone, representing the Tomb of Christ , rather than a manger . The Cave of the Nativity
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3738-505: The yuca con mojo [Cuban side dish made by marinating yuca root (also known as cassava) in garlic, sour orange, and olive oil], the roasted pork or the stuffed or unfilled guanajo that, along with homemade desserts, such as Christmas fritters, and a wide range of sweets in syrup and Spanish nougat. The visit to the archipelago of Pope John Paul II , in 1998, promoted the Cuban State, in a gesture of goodwill, to declare December 25 again as
3827-559: The Fourth Sunday of Advent is only commemorated. The festivities of Christmas Day have, however, extended farther and farther back into Christmas Eve. While Roman Catholics , Lutherans , and some Anglicans traditionally celebrate Midnight Mass , the first mass of Christmas, either at or near midnight on Christmas Eve, some churches have in recent decades scheduled their "Midnight" Mass as early as 7 pm in an effort to better accommodate young children, whose choral singing has become
3916-468: The Lord's Prayer, after the sermon , in order to alert those who are unable to be present to "unite themselves in spirit with the congregation". In many historic Christian Churches, church bells are also rung on All Hallows' Eve , as well as during the processions of Candlemas and Palm Sunday ; the only time of the Christian Year when church bells are not rung include Maundy Thursday through
4005-670: The Mass for the Vigil of the Nativity being that of the Annunciation to Joseph in Matthew 1 . The Vigil of the Nativity is not so much the first day of Christmas as it is the last day of Advent , and so it traditionally retains the liturgical color of violet. In traditional western liturgical practice, when the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve occur on the same day, the Sunday mass is of Christmas Eve and
4094-575: The body of a church the function of a sanctus bell can also be performed by a small hand bell or set of such bells (called altar bells ) rung shortly before the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ and again when the consecrated elements are shown to the people. Sacring rings or "Gloria wheels" are commonly used in Catholic churches in Spain and its former colonies for this purpose. In
4183-489: The celebration. That day—it may also be 31—for many it is important to wear a new piece of clothing, be it a jacket or underwear. The Cuban family does not have a fixed time for dinner. It is necessary, yes, in most of the Island, to have it as a family, and it is expected to be all at the table to start tasting the frijoles negros dormidos [sleeping black beans] and the arroz blanco desgranado y reluciente [shredded white rice],
4272-617: The center of the table symbolizing Christ the Light of the World . Next to it is a round loaf of bread symbolizing Christ Bread of Life . Hay is often displayed either on the table or as a decoration in the room, reminiscent of the manger in Bethlehem . In Venezuela , hallacas are normally the staple dish for Noche Buena alongside of either ham or pork leg known as "pernil", panettone , rum and "Ponche Crema" (a form of alcoholic eggnog ). The night
4361-484: The ceremonial blessing of church bells, at least in France, since the eleventh century. It is derived from the washing of the bell with holy water by the bishop , before he anoints it with the "oil of the infirm" without and with chrism within; a fuming censer is placed under it and the bishop prays that these sacramentals of the Church may, at the sound of the bell, put the demons to flight, protect from storms, and call
4450-510: The church bells was believed to be in celebration of the victory. As a result, the significance of noon bell ringing is now a commemoration of John Hunyadi 's victory against the Turks. Some churches have a clock chime which uses a turret clock to broadcast the time by striking the hours and sometimes the quarters. A well-known musical striking pattern is the Westminster Quarters . This
4539-399: The church for the All-Night Vigil. The next morning, Christmas Day, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated again, but with special features that occur only on Great Feasts of the Lord. After the dismissal of this Liturgy, the faithful customarily greet each other with the kiss of peace and the words: "Christ is Born!", to which the one being greeted responds: "Glorify Him!" (the opening words of
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#17329168567014628-405: The church sing verses of the song "He whom shepherds once came Praising" ( Quem pastores laudavere ) responsively. Methodists celebrate the evening in different ways. Some, in the early evening, come to their church to celebrate Holy Communion with their families. The mood is very solemn, and the only visible light is the Advent Wreath , and the candles upon the Lord's Table . Others celebrate
4717-563: The clapper. This culminated in ringing bells through a full circle, which let ringers easily produce different striking sequences; known as changes . In Christianity, the ringing of church bells is traditionally believed to drive out demons and other unclean spirits . Inscriptions on church bells relating to this purpose of church bells, as well as the purpose of serving as a call to prayer and worship, were customary, for example "the sound of this bell vanquishes tempests, repels demons, and summons men". Some churches have several bells with
4806-442: The congregation receives a candle and passes along their flame which is first received from the Christ Candle. Lutherans traditionally practice Christmas Eve Eucharistic traditions typical of Germany and Scandinavia. "Krippenspiele" ( Nativity plays ), special festive music for organ, vocal and brass choirs and candlelight services make Christmas Eve one of the most beloved days in the Lutheran Church calendar. Christmas Vespers
4895-541: The custom of giving gifts to the Magi who brought gifts for the Christ child in the manger . In Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia, where Saint Nicholas (sv. Mikuláš/szent Mikulás) gives gifts on 6 December, the Christmas gift-giver is the Child Jesus ( Ježíšek in Czech , Jézuska in Hungarian, Ježiško in Slovak and Isusek in Croatian ). In Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland, presents are traditionally exchanged on
4984-425: The death, and the last was the "Lych Bell", or "Corpse Bell" which was rung at the funeral as the procession approached the church. This latter is known today as the Funeral toll . A more modern tradition where there are full-circle bells is to use "half-muffles" when sounding one bell as a tolled bell, or all the bells in change-ringing. This means a leather muffle is placed on the clapper of each bell so that there
5073-462: The dinner is over the table is left uncleared overnight for the feast of vėlės (spirits or soul). In Peru , turkey and panettone are the stars of Christmas Eve. In the Philippines , the traditional dinner (known as noche buena or nochebuena ) is served at midnight after the family attends the late evening Mass known as Misa de Gallo (sometimes referred to as Misa de Aguinaldo , "Gift Mass"). Common traditional dishes served for
5162-506: The end of the 7th and during the 8th century by casting metal originating from Campania . The bells consequently took the name of campana and nola from the eponymous city in the region. This would explain the apparently erroneous attribution of the origin of church bells to Paulinus of Nola in AD 400. By the early Middle Ages , church bells became common in Europe. They were first common in northern Europe, reflecting Celtic influence, especially that of Irish missionaries. Before
5251-407: The end of the service, a new candle is brought out into the center of the church and lit, and all gather round and sing the Troparion and Kontakion of the Feast. In the evening, the All-Night Vigil for the Feast of the Nativity is composed of Great Compline , Matins and the First Hour . The Byzantine services of Christmas Eve are intentionally parallel to those of Good Friday , illustrating
5340-510: The evening of 24 December. Children are commonly told that presents were brought either by the Christkind (German for Christ child), or by the Weihnachtsmann . Both leave the gifts, but are in most families not seen doing so. In Germany, the gifts are also brought on 6 December by "the Nikolaus " with his helper Knecht Ruprecht . In Estonia Jõuluvana , Finland Joulupukki , Denmark Julemanden , Norway Julenissen and Sweden Jultomten , personally meets children and gives presents in
5429-440: The evening of 5 December, the eve of his nameday. On 24 December they go to church or watch the late-night Mass on TV, or have a meal. Church bell A church bell is a bell in a church building designed to be heard outside the building. It can be a single bell, or part of a set of bells. Their main function is to call worshippers to the church for a communal service , but are also rung on special occasions such as
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#17329168567015518-425: The evening of Christmas Eve. In Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Quebec (French Canada), Romania, Uruguay, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland, Christmas presents are opened mostly on the evening of the 24th—following German tradition, this
5607-474: The evening with services of light, which include singing the song Silent Night as a variety of candles (including personal candles) are lit. Other churches have late evening services perhaps at 11 pm, so that the church can celebrate Christmas Day together with the ringing of bells at midnight. Others offer Christmas Day services as well. The annual " Nine Lessons and Carols ", broadcast from King's College, Cambridge on Christmas Eve, has established itself
5696-408: The faithful to prayer. Before the introduction of church bells into the Christian Church , different methods were used to call the worshippers: playing trumpets , hitting wooden planks, shouting, or using a courier . In AD 604, Pope Sabinian officially sanctioned the usage of bells. These tintinnabula were made from forged metal and did not have large dimensions. Larger bells were made at
5785-512: The feast of the Baptism of the Lord . Whilst it does not include any kind of Mass, the Church of Scotland has a service beginning just before midnight, in which carols are sung. The Church of Scotland no longer holds Hogmanay services on New Year's Eve, but the Christmas Eve services are still very popular. On Christmas Eve, the Christ Candle in the center of the Advent wreath is traditionally lit in many church services . In candlelight services, while singing Silent Night , each member of
5874-405: The film a positive review: "This surprising and refreshingly taut low-budget horror film offers what most run-of-the-mill slasher films don't: a good story with a surprise ending". Christmas Eve This is an accepted version of this page Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas , the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus . Christmas Day is observed around
5963-400: The inside of the bell. The noon church bell tolling in Europe has a specific historical significance that has its roots in the Siege of Belgrade by the Ottomans in 1456. Initially, the bell ringing was intended as a call to prayer for the victory of the defenders of Belgrade. However, because in many European countries the news of victory arrived before the order for prayer, the ringing of
6052-433: The justification that "the more bells a church had, the more loudly they rang, and the greater the distance over which they could be heard, the less likely it was that evil forces would trouble the parish." The ringing of a church bell in the English tradition to announce a death is called a death knell . The pattern of striking depended on the person who had died; for example in the counties of Kent and Surrey in England it
6141-404: The last friar of Steinhaus Abbey rang the storm bells after other systems failed. Some church bells are being used in England for similar purposes. Christian church bells have the form of a cup-shaped cast metal resonator with a flared thickened rim, and a pivoted clapper hanging from its centre inside. It is usually mounted high in a bell tower on top of the church , so it can be heard by
6230-1113: The main course include: lechón , various types of pancit (noodles), Filipino spaghetti , hamonado , jamón , queso de bola , morcón , embutido , chicken galantina , almondigas (meatballs), paelya ( arroz valenciana , bringhe , etc.), lumpia , menudo , mechado , caldereta , callos , chicken pastel , relyenong bangús (stuffed milkfish), lengua estofado , adobo , and various types of barbecue ( inihaw ). Almost all of these dishes are eaten with white rice. Desserts and side dishes include úbe halayá , turon , leche flan , macaroni salad , membrilyo , fruit salad , buko salad , crema de fruta , ensaymada , champorado , mango float , fruitcake , castañas ( roasted chestnuts ), and various other kakanin (rice cakes) like puto bumbong , bibingka , suman , biko , and sapin-sapin . Popular beverages are tsokolate as well as coffee, soda , wine, beer, alcoholic drinks, and fruit juices. A tradition similar to Italy ( Wigilia , or 'Christmas Vigil') exists in Poland. The number of dishes
6319-434: The presents. In Spain, gifts are traditionally opened on the morning of 6 January, Epiphany day ("Día de Los Tres Reyes Magos"), though in some other countries, like Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay, people receive presents both around Christmas and on the morning of Epiphany day. In Belgium and the Netherlands Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas and his companion Zwarte Piet deliver presents to children and adults alike on
6408-466: The prophet Daniel prays thrice a day. The early Christians thus came to pray the Lord's Prayer at 9 am, noon and 3 pm. Many Catholic Christian churches ring their bells thrice a day, at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm to call the faithful to recite the Angelus , a prayer recited in honour of the Incarnation of God . Some Protestant Christian Churches ring church bells during the congregational recitation of
6497-438: The shoulder. He collapses on a road, and a car driven by Maggie approaches. The assailant proceeds to throw Alex on the hood of the car and slit his throat as Maggie looks on coldly. Several days later, during Christmas, Jack suffers a nightmare in which Alex, lying dead in the morgue, awakens and attacks him. Maggie goes to get Jack a drink to calm him. Meanwhile, an unseen assailant enters the bedroom and murders Jack. While Jack
6586-421: The singing of Christmas carols , the illumination and enjoyment of Christmas lights , trees, and other decorations, the wrapping, exchange and opening of gifts, and general preparation for Christmas Day. Legendary Christmas gift-bearing figures including Santa Claus , Father Christmas , Christkind , and Saint Nicholas are also often said to depart for their annual journey to deliver presents to children around
6675-428: The sound bow with a hammer or occasionally by a rope which pulls the internal clapper against the bell. A church may have a single bell, or a collection of bells which are tuned to a common scale. They may be stationary and chimed, rung randomly by swinging through a small arc, or swung through a full circle to enable the high degree of control of English change ringing . Before modern communications, church bells were
6764-479: The sound-pressure levels of bells by 5 dB ." In the Netherlands , there have been lawsuits about church bell noise pollution experienced by nearby residents. The complaints are usually, but not always, raised by new local residents (or tourists who spend the night in the neighbourhood ) who are not used to the noise at night or during the day. Local residents who had been used to it for longer usually retort that
6853-453: The start of a mass or service of worship . In the United Kingdom predominantly in the Anglican church, there is a strong tradition of change ringing on full-circle tower bells for about half an hour before a service. This originated from the early 17th century when bell ringers found that swinging a bell through a large arc gave more control over the time between successive strikes of
6942-401: The surrounding community. The bell is suspended from a headstock which can swing on bearings. A rope is tied to a wheel or lever on the headstock, and hangs down to the bell ringer . To ring the bell, the ringer pulls on the rope, swinging the bell. The motion causes the clapper to strike the inside of the bell rim as it swings, thereby sounding the bell. Some bells have full-circle wheels, which
7031-528: The table for guests (alluding to Mary and Joseph looking for shelter in Bethlehem ). In Ukraine, Sviatyi Vechir ( Ukrainian : Святий Вечір , Holy Evening) is traditionally celebrated with a meatless twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper , or the Holy Supper ( Ukrainian : Свята Вечеря , Sviata Vecheria). The main attributes of the Holy Supper in Ukraine are kutia , a poppy seed, honey and wheat dish, and uzvar ,
7120-1111: The traditional Christmas Eve dinner consists of arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), lechón asado ( pig roast ) or pernil asado (pork roast shoulder), morcilla (rice-filled pork blood sausage ), pasteles (root vegetable-based dough, meat-filled tamale ), guineitos en escabeche (marinated, sliced green bananas ), ensalada de papa puertorriqueña (Puerto Rican potato salad ), and ensalada de coditos puertorriqueña (Puerto Rican macaroni salad ). The traditional Christmas Eve desserts are arroz con dulce (coconut rice pudding), tembleque (coconut pudding), flan de queso o coco (cheese or coconut caramel custard ), tierrita (chocolate mousse ), turrón , galletas florecitas (small meringue-topped biscuits ), Danish butter biscuits , nueces surtidas (assorted shelled nuts ), bombones dulces de navidad surtidos (assorted Christmas hard candy ). The traditional Christmas Eve beverages are coquito (coconut eggnog), Don Q or Bacardi ( rum ), and Pitorro ( moonshine rum). Rozhdenstvenskiy sochelnik ( Russian : Рождественский сочельник )
7209-513: The two have passionate sex. It is revealed that the two have been conspiring together in an attempt to trigger a psychological breakdown in Alex. Meanwhile, Danny, who is suspicious of Maggie, breaks into her apartment and uncovers a photo album containing pictures of her with Jack, along with newspaper clippings about Alex and Jack's parents' murder. Upon her return, Danny confronts Maggie, but she forces him out. Maggie and Jack proceed to murder Danny with
7298-520: The use of church bells, Greek monasteries would ring a flat metal plate (see semantron ) to announce services. The signa and campanae used to announce services before Irish influence may have been flat plates like the semantron rather than bells. The oldest surviving circle of bells in Great Britain is housed in St Lawrence Church, Ipswich . The evocative sound of church bells has inspired many writers, both in poetry and prose. One example
7387-463: The world , and Christmas Eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day. Together, both days are considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christendom and Western society . Christmas celebrations in the denominations of Western Christianity have long begun on Christmas Eve, due in part to the Christian liturgical day starting at sunset,
7476-512: The world celebrate the Christmas Eve meal with various meats, Italians (especially Sicilians) celebrate the traditional Catholic " Feast of the Seven Fishes " which was historically served after a 24-hour fasting period. Although Christmas fasting is no longer a popular custom, some Italian-Americans still enjoy a meatless Christmas Eve feast and attend the Midnight Mass. In various cultures,
7565-515: The world on Christmas Eve, although until the Protestant introduction of Christkind in 16th-century Europe, such figures were said to instead deliver presents on the eve of Saint Nicholas' feast day (6 December). Western churches have traditionally observed Christmas Eve (properly the Vigil of the Nativity) as a liturgical observance distinct from the masses of Christmas Day, with the proper Gospel at
7654-548: The year. During this time one feast leads into another: 25–31 December is the afterfeast of the Nativity; 2–5 January is the forefeast of the Epiphany . In Bulgaria, the meal consists of an odd number of lenten dishes in compliance with the rules of fasting. They are usually the traditional sarma , bob chorba (bean soup), fortune kravai (pastry with a fortune in it; also called bogovitsa , vechernik , kolednik ), stuffed peppers , nuts , dried fruit, boiled wheat. The meal
7743-515: Was a common Eastern Orthodox tradition in the Russian Empire , but during the era of the Soviet Union it was greatly discouraged as a result of the official atheism of the former regime. In modern-day Russia, the church has a service on that day, but the celebration itself has not yet regained its popularity among the people. Instead of the Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve is considered to be
7832-467: Was customary to ring three times three strokes for a man and three times two for a woman, with a varying usage for children. The age of the deceased was then rung out. In small settlements this could effectively identify who had just died. There were three occasions surrounding a death when bells could be rung. There was the "Passing Bell" to warn of impending death, the second the Death Knell to announce
7921-565: Was lifted temporarily in 1942 by order of Winston Churchill. Starting with Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943, the Control of Noise (Defence) (No. 2) Order, 1943, allowed that church bells could be rung to summon worshippers to church on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. On May 27, 1943, all restrictions were removed. In the 2021 German floods it was reported that church bells were rung to warn inhabitants of coming floods. In Beyenburg in Wuppertal
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