Christmas Eve The Church of Scotland no longer holds Hogmanay services on New Year's Eve, however. 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 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
New Year's Eve dominant New Year's Eve special on U.S. television (especially among younger viewers), with Clark hosting it (as well as ABC's special coverage of the year 2000) for 33 straight years. After suffering a stroke in December 2004, Clark missed the 2005 edition, and he retired as full-time host in favor of Ryan Seacrest for 2006 due to a lingering speech impediment. Clark continued making limited appearances on the special until his death in 2012. Other notable celebrations include the Las Vegas Strip's "America's Party", where streets are closed to vehicle traffic on the evening of New Year's Eve, and a