Christmastide
December's holy fortnight
Christmastide is the Christmas season, the period surrounding and including Christmas Day.
Traditionally it spans from Christmas Eve through Epiphany (January 6), though usage varies.
The word has an old-fashioned, literary quality: The manor was festooned with holly throughout Christmastide.
The -tide suffix means "time" or "season," as in Eastertide or eventide.
Christmas preparatory season
- EpiphanyChristian feast, January sixth
- CandlemasFeast of purification
- Twelfth NightFinal Yuletide evening
- midnight massWorship at Christmas's first hour
carol service · nativity play · Advent wreath · candlelight service · church year · holy day · feast day · observance
Festive neighborhood singing
- wassailSpiced holiday beverage
- yule logSeasonal timber for burning
- figgy puddingSteamed fruit-studded holiday cake
- mince piesFruited Christmas pastries
mulled wine · stockings · gingerbread house · Advent calendar · nativity scene · poinsettia · mistletoe · holly
Prophesied divine deliverer
- Emmanuel"God is with us"
- BethlehemNativity's traditional setting
- MagiEastern priests, biblical visitors
- shepherdsThose who tend flocks
Star of Bethlehem · Holy Family · manger · Annunciation · Gabriel · salvation · prophecy · revelation
Lively, cheerful celebration
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- revelryNoisy, lively celebration
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- banquetFormal celebratory meal
gala · festival · pageant · conviviality · jubilation · merriment · joviality · jollity
Frozen precipitation crystals
- frostThin ice coating
- fireplaceIndoor structure for burning
- hearthFireplace floor area
- solsticeDay of maximum tilt
December · chill · icicle · mittens · scarves · evergreen · pine · fir
Resurrection commemoration day
- LentChristian fasting season
- PentecostSpirit's arrival celebration
- EastertideResurrection festival period
- TrinityGodhead as three persons
Advent
Christmas preparatory season
- EpiphanyChristian feast, January sixth
- CandlemasFeast of purification
- Twelfth NightFinal Yuletide evening
midnight mass · carol service · nativity play · Advent wreath · candlelight service · church year · holy day · feast day · observance · Gloria
caroling
Festive neighborhood singing
- wassailSpiced holiday beverage
- yule logSeasonal timber for burning
- figgy puddingSteamed fruit-studded holiday cake
mince pies · mulled wine · stockings · gingerbread house · Advent calendar · nativity scene · poinsettia · mistletoe · holly · ivy
Messiah
Prophesied divine deliverer
- Emmanuel"God is with us"
- BethlehemNativity's traditional setting
- MagiEastern priests, biblical visitors
shepherds · Star of Bethlehem · Holy Family · manger · Annunciation · Gabriel · salvation · prophecy · revelation · Immaculate Conception
merrymaking
Lively, cheerful celebration
banquet · gala · festival · pageant · conviviality · jubilation · merriment · joviality · jollity · gaiety
snowflakes
Frozen precipitation crystals
solstice · December · chill · icicle · mittens · scarves · evergreen · pine · fir · candlelight
Easter
Resurrection commemoration day
- LentChristian fasting season
- PentecostSpirit's arrival celebration
- EastertideResurrection festival period
- ChristmasSanta, ornament, Santa Claus, presents, candy cane
- Winter HolidaysHanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, winter solstice
- church calendarAdvent, Easter Sunday, Lent, Pentecost, Epiphany
- wintersnow, ice, cold, frozen, frost
- church feastsfeast day, holy day, solemnity, All Saints Day, All Souls Day
- EpiphanyEpiphany, Magi, three kings, Balthazar, three wise men
ChristmastideLent
Christian fasting season
Holy Week · Good Friday · Advent · Ash Wednesday · Eastertide
Christmastidemidsummer
Peak of warm months
high summer · dog days · summertime · summer solstice · June