Irish Tradition

"Candle In The Window" 

This is one of the most well observed of Irish Christmas traditions , one of them is a placing lit candles in window. Irish people still doing it until now. Placing lit candles in windows arises from the British persecution against the Catholic Church in Ireland. Since the time King Henry II invaded Ireland, persecution against the Irish has existed. The British were Protestant and the Irish people were Catholic, therefore to totally subjugate the Irish people, the British had to crush their religion and that meant crushing the Catholic Church.

Besides it appears the penal laws which were designed to eradicate Catholicism. Catholics were forbidden to practice the faith, attend Mass, receive a Catholic education, live in a corporate town, purchase or lease land, and hold arms for protection. Punishments for violations included fines, imprisonment, exile and even death.

Despite this persecution, the Catholic faith kept the Irish strong. Bishops and priests continued to minister to the people, schoolmasters continued to teach the children, not just regular studies, but the faith and Irish heritage. The Irish people held true to their faith and culture.

With this history, we find the use of candles in windows. During Christmas, every faithful Irish Catholic family hoped to have a priest visit their home so that they could receive the sacraments and in return offer him hospitality. So they would leave their doors unlocked and place candles in the windows to signal a priest that he was welcome and would be safe. Sometimes, a single candle would appear in several windows, or three candles in one window, one each representing Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Of course the British persecutors became suspicious and asked purpose of their action. The Catholics Irish  people explain to them that their door unlocked and candles burn in their windows at Christmas, so Mother Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus will find their homes and be welcomed with open hearts.The British assume it is silly popery. Silly popery it's mean a stupid think of Catholics Irish people.

After a long time, the Irish people kept did it and now it has become a tradition that they believe in Christmas time. That's how Irish people celebrate a Christmas, open their hearts and homes to Jesus.