Before we begin with today’s meditation let me recommend to all our readers that you find a quiet place and go to www.stjohns-dc.org. and listen to Luis’s Sermon he gave Thanksgiving Day, especially if you’ve wondered about the importance of rituals or have raised or are raising children. I know you will not regret it.
I attended a performance this week at Davidson of Irish Singers. Besides enjoying the music, I learned something most of you already know. The lead singer, a very attractive blonde with an equally gorgeous voice, introduced and Irish Christmas tune. She said in Ireland during advent most homes light a candle in the window. I remembered during Christmas time passing many houses with plastic wreathes with an electric candle in the window and not paying much attention, searching instead for the house on the street that was lit up the most.
The woman said the lighting of the candle was a symbol of welcome to the Holy Family – that there was always a welcome spot or place for them in the home. She said that it also meant that there was also a welcome mat open for friends and neighbors to come in as well, for a bit of cake or a pint of Ale. Then she proceeded to sing the tune that brought tears to my eyes in the original Irish.
I suggested to Suzy that we buy a big candle this year and put it in our window. She asked why and I explained. Of course, I caught some grief when I described the singer and my sappy nature upon hearing her song. But, we both agreed that the concept of symbolizing that our home welcomed all, including the Holy Family was not a bad one. I like the idea that neighbors know that our home is a place to drop by – have a piece of cake( wheat-free these days) or a glass of wine.
I like better the idea that a whole country lights a candle in the window symbolizing the same.
The Irish Christmas song was Le Coinnle na N’Aingeal and the Irish Singers were a group named Danu. They have lots of stuff on iTunes but I couldn’t find that particular song, sadly.