Today I pulled out all of my Christmas decorations and as I pulled out the old bulbs and bent Christmas cards from years gone by Icould not help but feel nostalgic.
The smallest box in the bunch is a box that holds the most precious of Christas decorations.
This box hold the Christmas decorations that my children made at school for the past twenty one years.
Every year I am amazed how the construction paper and glitter holds on to the glue as if saying," Because you keep us year after year we continue to shine and make you smile and cry. "
I look at the tiny ornament of Noah's ark with the tiny giraffe poking his head out.
I have had that ornament since my son who is now 21 was a baby.
I was working as a hairdresser and one of my customers gave it to my son for his first Christmas.
I can still see his little chubby fingers pointing at the ornament and the look of wonder that I never wanted to see leave his face.
I unpack the ornaments that my husbands son made in first grade.
His smiling face looking out from our tree.
I placed these ornaments on our first tree together before meeting him in person.
As I make this Christmas a traditonal one at my house I can't help but wonder how My ancestor John May and his family spent this blessed holiday.
Perhaps the beginning of the Christmas holiday would start with a ring of Holly placed on the front door.
This traditon originated in Ireland because of the availability of Holly in the area and this made it possible for the poor to adorn their door with holiday spirit.
Four weeks leading to Christmas (Advent)The annual event of cleaning house takes place which included white washing the outhouse.
On Christmas Eve it has been tradition in Ireland for centuries to place a lighted candle in the window of a house for many purposes, the most common through the ages is in a symbol for Joseph and Mary as they traveled looking for shelter.
During the times that Catholics were forbiden or even killed for practicing their faith a candle in the window indicated a safe place for a priest to perform mass.
Another element of the tradition is the youngest daughter named Mary extinguishes the flame on the candle.
Another Christmas Eve tradition is that of the Laden Table.
After the evening meal is cleared away before leaving for midnight mass the table is set again with a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, and a pitcher of milk.
The door to the house is left unlatched this night to invite Mary and Joseph or any guest or weary traveler.
A typical Irish Christmas table could be filled with a nice fat Goose, with plenty of Potato and apple dressing.
For dessert Plum pudding or sweet cake.
December 26, is St. Stephens day which is named for a christian martyr which would bring the leftovers from the Christmas meal and give to the poor.
Spiced beef is usually served on this day.
Another tradition evolves around the wren and the " Wren boy procession"
where families would dress in old clothes and blacken their faces.
They would go from house to house carrying a stick with a holly branch and a dead wren attached.
This tradition comes from a story from ancient times where the wren betrayed locals who were trying to ambush the soldiers coming to take their village.
The Christmas holiday does not end until January 6 which is also known as Epiphany or " Little Christmas" .
This is when all the decorations come down and not a minute before to avoid bad luck.
January 6 is the day that the wisemen came to stand near the crib of baby Jesus.,
" Little Christmas" is also known as Womens Christmas.
This is the day that the women have the day off from all the preparations and cooking.
The food that day consists mainly of baked goods such as scones, cream, Jam, gingerbread, iced sponge cakes and pots of Tea.
Among the many traditions that struck me the most was a favored Christmas song on everyone's lips this time of year.
" The twelve days of Christmas " Is said to of originated in Ireland when it was a crime to practice the Catholic faith in any fashion.
Music has always been an huge part of Irish/Gaelic life and it came naturally to create a song to teach young children "catechism".
The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teaxching of faith,
The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God, The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.
A Partridge in a pear tree= Jesus Christ, the son of God
Two Turtle doves= The old & new testaments
Three French Hens= Faith, Hope & Charity, the theological virtues
Four Calling Birds= The four gospels and or the four Evangelists
Five Golden Rings= The first five books of the Old Testaments
Six Geese a Laying= Six days of Creation
Seven Swans a swiming= The seven gifts of the holy spirit, the Seven sacraments
Eight maids a milking= The eight Beautudes
Nine Ladies dancing= The nine fruits of the Holy spirit
Ten Lords a leeping= The Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping= The eleven faithful disciples
Twelve drummers drumming= The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles creed.
In closing, I am proud of my Irish roots and treasure each of these traditions.
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