December 17, 2011
Symbol of Christmas:
Candle
You see the candle a lot at Christmas time weather it's in an advent wreath, in a window or a part of other holiday decorations. Apparently, putting a candle in the window on Christmas Eve is a pretty common tradition. I have seen them at the store but I didn't really know what they were for or the tradition that is behind it. My sister-in-law used to live in New Hampshire and she said that it was a very common tradition there. Actually, I just found out from this site, that it is an Irish tradition.
One beautiful way that the Irish have traditionally kept this holy night [Christmas Eve] is with the lighting of a candle in the window. The warm light from its glow acts as a welcome to all so that no one should be without shelter.Offering hospitality to others by way of a lighted candle is a tradition as old as ancient Ireland. In more recent centuries during times of persecution in Ireland, the candle offered a welcome to priests that the home was a safe haven and that Mass could be offered there. On Christmas Eve, the candle also symbolizes the willingness of the household to welcome the Holy Family, so that the Infant Jesus and his family would not again be turned away. One Irish belief held that Joseph, Mary and Jesus still wandered the world, seeking a place of refuge from Herod.
Obviously Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus don't wander the earth still, but we still have the opportunity to let Him into our homes. The candle at Christmas time can be a symbol that we have the light of the gospel in our homes, and that our homes can be a refuge from the world. We can share that light with others so that they too can feel the warmth and safety of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
