Homes and businesses everywhere are covered with Christmas Decorations. It is difficult not to say “Look!!, Look over there!” as we drive past certain houses the owners have decorated beautifully. There are many different explanations as to why we decorate during the season of the year. One of the most meaningful was explained to me by Francis X. Weiser in his book “The Christmas Book.” He told how the custom of placing lighted candles in the windows at Christmas was brought to America by the Irish. The historical background of this custom is interesting. When religion was suppressed throughout Ireland during the English persecution, the people had no churches. Priests hid in forests and caves and secretly visited the farms and homes to say Mass there during the night. Every Irish family had a great wish that at least once in their lifetimes a priest would arrive at Christmas to celebrate Mass on this holiest of nights. They hoped and prayed for this all through the year. When Christmas came, they left their doors unlocked and placed burning candles in the windows so that any priest who happened to be in the vicinity could be welcomed and guided to their home through the dark night. Silently the priest would enter through the unlatched door and would be received by the devout inhabitants with fervent prayers of gratitude and tears of happiness that their home was to become a church for Christmas. To justify this practice in the eyes of the English soldiers, the Irish people explained that they burned the candles and kept the doors unlocked, that Mary and Joseph, looking for a place to stay, would find their way to their home and be welcomed with open doors and open hearts. The English authorities, finding this Irish superstition harmless, did not bother suppressing it. Surely there are many families today that would welcome a sincere priest, or even Mary and Joseph. Many would open their doors to the Christ Child if He were to knock. But there are many homes where Jesus is a stranger with candles in the windows. It makes me wonder how many people who place candles in their windows during Advent and Christmas give any thought at all to “why?” They may not even realize they need the Lord Jesus in their lives. When you see candles in the windows of houses you pass this season let it be a reminder for you to pray that the love of God will enter that home this Christmas! Jesus Himself said “LOOK! I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK. IF YOU HEAR MY VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN, AND WE WILL SHARE A MEAL TOGETHER AS FRIENDS.” (Revelation 3:20 NLT)
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 11:12:55 +0000