Today we celebrate Christmas Eve, which has been celebrated for as long as celebrations for Christmas, starting about 1,700 years ago when the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine, declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on December 25th. For centuries after his proclamation, Christmas was celebrated as a whole season that begun with the arrival of Christmas Eve on December 24th. Lutheran practices on Christmas Eve usually involve Nativity plays, vocal choirs and candlelight services.