Christmas and the Winter Solstice: Dusting off Tradition’s Roots

By Brian McGowan

Ireland, long the most Catholic of countries, retains more than a trace of practices from times past. These are often revealed throughout the year on the occasion of Christian celebrations lightly pasted on top of earlier, pagan events.

While our celebration of Christmas (Nollaig in Gaelic, pronounced “Nulleg”) may not be so strongly influenced as Halloween, there still flows a strong current of the ancient beliefs. We are reminded that ways of old are not completely forgotten during these festive weeks. Here are several.

On Dec. 20, the eve of the winter solstice, it is traditional to light a fire in the hearth and have it burn for 12 hours, lasting into Solstice Day, Dec. 21. This is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the day with the least view of the shining sun.

The sun was thought by the ancient Celts to be the face of the great god Lugh. Throughout Europe, this was the day of the “fire festival” called Yula. On this day they honored the equally great goddess Brid. Upon her shoulders the early Christians built the many legends of Saint Brigid. She still rivals her male counterparts, Saints Patrick and Columba, for pre-eminent ranking in the “land of saints and scholars.”

In addition to the fire, many will bring a pine tree indoors and decorate it with all manner of ornaments. Some say it is a German influence, introduced at the time of Prince Albert’s marriage to Queen Victoria. But among these baubles are often found symbols of the sun, the moon and the stars. These were all revered by the Celts.

And what of Santa’s reindeer, adorning the branches of the tree? Look no further than Cernunnos, the great horned god. He is the guardian of nature and fertility, and the ancestor all horned creatures, including the reindeer.

We put holly on doors and windows. Why? To welcome benevolent spirits, and keep evil ones at bay. We wear them on our person for the same reason. To wear a sprig in one’s hair, on one’s cap, or fastened to one’s coat, continues to be a way to guard against the malevolent forces of a dangerous world.

An equally cherished practice is that of mistletoe. The plant itself is not widely native to Ireland, but our Celtic cousins in mainland Europe and the island of Britain were no strangers to it. With an unwitting nod to them, we put mistletoe above a doorway and greet our guests beneath it. It will keep evil at bay, make poison harmless, blunt an ill-wisher’s curse and bring good blessings to those who put their stock in it.

Another custom that has come down through time is that of placing candles in at least one window of the house, if not all. This is ostensibly to light the way of Mary and Joseph as they sought shelter in Bethlehem.

The custom also reflects the much-heralded Celtic concept of hospitality to all, especially travelers, wanderers and kind spirits, all adrift in the dead of night. The candle will guide those looking for shelter, and a kindness extended now will one day be repaid in plenty. The honor of lighting the candle should go to the youngest girl in the house, who will in time pass the custom down.

And finally, come the 24^th, Christmas Eve, leave on the kitchen table a loaf of bread made with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk, a glass and a large candle, lit for the evening. These too shall welcome weary travelers, a company we are all part of at one time or another in our lives.

Whatever your beliefs, on Christmas Day wish the first person you see that morning a solid “Nollaig shona duit!” (pronounced “Nulleg hunna gwitch!”). For the rest of your family, gathered in a group around the Christmas table later that day, the greeting is: “Nollaig shona dhaoibh!” (“Nulleg hunna ge-ev!”).

Happy Christmas!

Pleasantville resident Brian McGowan was born and raised in the Bronx and is a second-, third- and fifth-generation Irish-American/Canadian, as his immigrant ancestors followed several paths to the New World. Reach him at brian.m.mcgowan1952@gmail.com or on Twitter (@Bmcgowan52M). He is the author of two books, “Thunder at Noon,” about the battle of Waterloo, and “Love, Son John,” about World War II. Both are available at Amazon.com.       

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