School: Kinnegad (C.) (roll number 14363)
- Location:
- Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: E. Ní Chairbre
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0728, Page 129
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- Customs connected with Christmas
I One of the oldest customs which still prevails, is the placing of a lighted candle in an unshuttered window at the front of each house on Christmas Eve, in honour of the First Christmas Night and of the Holy Wayfarers. The door is left open till midnight, and any traveller or wanderer who comes the way to sure of food + rest in their Honour. It is believed that at midnight that the Mother of God + her divine Babe enter each house in which peace + good will dwell, and leave a blessing there for evermore.
II
Another belief was that at midnight on Christmas Eve, the beasts in every stable went down on their knees to worship honour the Divine Babe who was born in a stable, and in memory of the Stable of Bethlehem and it was held that any person who remained awake and went to the byre of the cattle at the stroke of twelve, would obtain from the Infant Saviour any special grace or favour asked for.(continues on next page)
