Catholic Activity: Christmas in Ireland

The Irish began this tradition of putting lighted candles in the windows of their homes at Christmastime. Here the symbolism is explained.

DIRECTIONS

Every home is given a thorough cleaning for the Coming of the Christ Child. The farmyard and driveways are included in the cleaning-up. On Christmas Night - or Christmas Eve as it is called in this country - three large candles are lighted in the living room and three medium-sized candles in each window. These are for the Divine Infant, His Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph. The door of every Irish house is left unlocked on that night so that the Holy Family can enter.

Activity Source: Your Home, A Church in Miniature by Compiled by The Family Life Bureau in the early 1950s, The Neumann Press, Long Prairie, Minnesota, 1994