Nollaig Shona Duit

The Irish Christmas is a meager but triumphant one, reflecting the struggles and spirit of the Irish people.


Does your grandmother put red candles in the window? Mine does, and I never really realized it was an old Irish tradition that served two functions. First, it's a symbol to welcome Mary and Joseph as they traveled and looked for shelter. Secondly, it also indicated a safe place for priests to perform Mass during times when mass wasn't allowed. For decades or some say centuries starting in the 1500s, it was a crime to be a Catholic. Priests would hide in the hills and look for the red candles to know what houses they could go say Mass. Some say the candle would stay lit on Christmas Eve and could only be extinguished by a girl in the household by the name of "Mary." Most Irish families wouldn't have a problem finding a girl named Mary in the house.



Another Irish tradition that's lesser known is the story of the Wren. During the Penal Times, (when Catholics, Presbyterians, and dissenters were persecuted) there was a plot against a group of local soldiers. The soldiers were surrounded and about to be ambushed when a wren pecked on the drums and awakened the soldiers. So, you might see wrens in the homes of the Irish, and later on St. Stephen's day. That's when a procession goes from house to house. Families used to dress in old clothes and sometimes blacken their faces. While they march, they carry a pole entwined with holly branches with a dead wren at the top. (what a way to say thank you) While this is rarely done today, the tradition of visiting on St. Stephen's Day has survived. Some Irish even put out extra food for the wrens, which is a better way to say thank you.


There are no Christmas Trees in Irish history... that's for the wealthy British and later times. Instead, the poor decorated with the greenery they had... holly and berries. Since holly doesn't normally grow in Minnesota, the Irish use winterberries. Like most traditions, the "hanging of the greens" goes back to pagan times, but eventually got converted to Christianity. You would hang greens on Christmas Eve and leave them up until "Little Christmas" or Epiphany, January 6th. Americans have the Irish to thank for the Holly Wreath at Christmas.

They also decorated with what they had, often rutabagas. (which they also made jack-o-lanterns out of, but that's a different holiday)

Traditionally, the table would be set on Christmas Eve for Christmas dinner. The door would be left unlatched. This would symbolize hospitality to the holy family and any family that would be traveling during the holidays. Caraway cakes and cookies are a staple of the holiday fare. Father Christmas would visit the children.

But perhaps the most interesting tidbit of the Irish Christmas tale is the Christmas Carol that we can thank the Irish for. When it was a crime to be Catholic, the Irish found a way to continue to educate their children. They are a stubborn lot, therefore their faith survived.

So, the 12-days of Christmas was written as a catechism song to help young Catholics learn their faith. It acted as a memory-aid, so you wouldn't be caught with anything that could get you killed.

12 drummers drumming = 12 points of doctrine in the Apostle's creed

11 pipers piping = 11 faithful apostles

10 lords a-leaping = 10 commandments, of course.

9 ladies dancing = 9 fruits of the holy spirit

8 maids a-milking = 8 Beatitudes

7 swans a-swimming = 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, 7 sacraments

6 geese a-laying = 6 days of creation

5 golden rings = Pentateuch, first 5 books of Old Testament

4 calling birds = 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John

3 french hens = the Trinity, of course, Father, Son & Holy Ghost

2 turtle doves = 2 testaments, the old and the new

1 partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ, Son of God

Out of all of the traditions, the Irish Christmas seems the most dismal, but with often the clearest reason for celebration. When you don't have much, you treasure your faith and family even more.