From 1691-1778 the British Government created many brutally oppressive laws targeting Catholics in an attempt to squash the religion and force the Irish to obey British Rule. The candle in the window at Christmas symbolizes many things in Ireland.

A Candle In The Window At Christmas Skehana District Heritage

According to tradition the candle served as a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph who sought shelter on that first Christmas Eve.

Irish candle in the window. A Candle in the Window is a sign of Irish hospitality and a beacon of hope. During these times of darkness Irish America must light a candle in the window Reaching back to traditions from the Penal Law times Irish America must remain strong and be ready to celebrate St. The Christmas Wreath we know today should remind us of that Irish tradition which began back in 16th century when Penal Laws outlawed the Catholic religion and clergy.

The Legend of the Christmas Candle The Irish initiated the tradition of putting a one-week candle called coinneal mór na Nollaig or great Christmas candle in a window of their homes. Read on for the history of the Christmas Candle in the Window. In early America when homes were often miles apart the sight of a distant candle in a window was a sign of welcome to those wishing to visit.

With the many waves of Irish immigration to America the tradition took root here and continued to evolve. During Christmastime Catholic families would leave their doors unlocked and a candle burning in the window to let the priest know he was welcome in their home. On Christmas Eve the windows of the house were decorated with garlands of holly and ivy with candles centered in each often in a hollowed-out turnip for support.

Although the meaning of lighting a candle may have been lost by some over the years it is still continued by families all over the globe. Three genuine Irish coins complete the legendary tale a small Irish cent a large Irish cent and an Irish Three Pence. Lighting the Candle Started as an Irish Tradition.

These laws were know as the Penal Laws. The centre-piece of the Christmas holiday in Ireland is the Christmas Dinner. In dark rural Ireland before the advent of electricity a candle in a window could be seen for miles and was a sign that a Priest at great personal risk to his liberty and safety would be in the home offering a mass for those who were willing to risk the same.

The Irish Christmas Candle in the Window. The candle in the window was often to be lit by a girl named Mary and only extinguished by her. It is also a sign for people to stop in on Christmas Eve to share in the joy of the season.

As early as 1171 King Henry IIs invasion of Ireland began persecution against the Irish. Dating back hundreds of years the Irish have a tradition to light a candle and place it in the window on Christmas Eve December 24 of each year. The candle in the window still a favorite traditional Irish Christmas decoration harkens back to that ancient Christmas Eve when Mary and Joseph could find no shelter.

Religious practices and persecution have a long and complicated history in Ireland. We have a second small tree that glows with lights and miniature Waterford ornaments that speaks of our Irish heritage and a reminder of the special significance of a light in the window in the homes in Ireland. It is a symbolic gesture to those ancient travelers who could find no shelter that there is room in this home for them and the coming child.

The sentiment that the burning candle flame sent was that the person was loved missed and held in the familys thoughts and prayers during their absence. Another reason for placing a candle in the window was to send the message that the traveling family member was remembered. Different stories and legends surround this Catholic religious tradition which has spread to other countries by Irish immigrants.

Irish Catholics began lighting candles in their windows and leaving their doors unlocked at Christmas as a sign it was safe for a priest to visit under the cover of darkness. The candle in the window on Christmas symbolizes many things but the oldest is the most important of all. The candle in the window during Christmas time can be traced back to the Irish.

I have often heard about the Irish Christmas tradition of placing a single lit candle in a window signifying that in that house there was room and welcome for Mary and Joseph as they looked for shelter on the night of Jesus birth. The removal of decorations in January were also often to be punctuated by a visit from a Mary.