Irish Christmas history begins with the English King Henry II in 1171. The English monarch took the Christmas celebrations to Ireland. Henry II built a very big traditional Irish hall in the village named Hogges. Sumptuous feasts and Christmas plays were held in which the Irish chiefs loyal to the English sovereign also took part. Down the ages the Christmas celebrations in Ireland has deviated somewhat from the early times, but the spirit is essentially the same.
Irish Christmas history shows us some traditional rituals of Christmas in Ireland. Ritual here is used in a very broad sense, some has little religious significance, but great social importance. A lighted candle in the window on Christmas Eve is one such custom. All Irish homes have a lighted candle, which has the symbolism of showing the light to the stranger after dark. This is a most ancient custom when people were really hospitable. The candle has to be lit by the youngest in the family and extinguished by any girl named "Mary". The custom of a laden table is also an endearing one. The table is laid with bread filled with caraway seed and raisins and a large pitcher of milk and a lighted candle. This means that any weary traveler or Joseph and Mary can avail of this hospitality if they so wanted and is an integral part of Irish Christmas History.
The rural Irish have a tradition of white washing their stores and outhouses. Its origin can be traced to the pagan customs of the early Mesopotamians. It is a purifying ritual and new Christmas bed cover, and new curtains are also used. Today of course, the Christmas celebrations in Ireland have global touches. Know all about the Irish Christmas from Christmas Carnivals.
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