Celebrate Christmas – The Celtic way... Many ancient Irish traditions have survived through the generations and can be incorporated in to your Christmas celebrations.
Firstly... the greeting. If you want to wish somebody a Happy Christmas with an Irish slant then wish them ‘Nollaig Shona Duit’, which is the Gaelic greeting for Merry Christmas.
A Holly Wreath
A Holly wreath started as a Celtic Christmas tradition. The fact that holly is so plentiful around Ireland resulted in it being used for wreaths placed on doors across Ireland. It allowed people of any means to decorate their houses and the tradition has continued to this day. It is considered bad luck to take a wreath down before January 6th, which is known as Little Christmas.
A Full and Laden Table
A particularly poignant tradition is that of the Laden table. After the meal on Christmas Eve, the table in a household was set again and the Irish tradition was to set the table with a pitcher of milk and a lit candle. There was also a loaf of bread placed on the table. The idea was that Mary or Joseph or anybody passing by in need of sustenance could visit.
A Light in the Window
This Irish tradition has continued up until this day and is one of the most evocative and visual associations with Christmas. Lighting a candle and placing it in the window was done as a sign of welcome and as the tradition continued in homes across Ireland all through penal times, it was a sign for priests that it was a safe place to perform Mass.
A Celtic Blessing
A popular Celtic Blessing that has lasted through the generations provides a positive start to the New Year:
Slainte maith, h-uile latha, na chi ‘snach fhaic!
Gun cuireadh do chupa thairis le slainte agus sonas,
A h-uile la sona dhuibh ‘s gun la idir dona dhuib.
Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur!
This translates as:
Good health, every day, whether I see you or not!
May your cup overflow with health and happiness.
May all your days be happy ones.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Celebrate Christmas – The Celtic Way.