A LIGHT TRADITION

This recruitment poster for Red Cross members

during the Second World War harks back to a

tradition that has been practised in Ireland

and other places for centuries.

.

THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE

The placing of a lighted candle in the window

of a house on Christmas Eve is still practised

today. Primarily it was, and still is, a symbol

of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they

travelled looking for shelter. The candle

should be lit by the youngest member of the

household and only be extinguished by a girl

bearing the name 'Mary'. To have no light

meant that you shared the guilt of the

Innkeeper at Bethlehem who said, "No Room"!