Celebrating Christmas past and present

By Sr. Marian McGreal

WE all love to celebrate Christmas. I remember the celebrations in the 1940s which were simpler and less commercial than they are today.

It began with cleaning the chimney for the arrival of Santy. He would enter the house no other way.

The actual cleaning method was a masterpiece in innovation. A furze bush was drawn by ropes up and down the chimney to dislodge the soot. Everything was cleaned and shopping done. The shopkeeper always gave something extra as a gift known as ‘your Christmas box’.

On Christmas morning families walked to the church as dawn was breaking, for the Mass at 8 o’clock. The crib, with its beautiful colourful statues and the inscription 'Gloria In Excelsius Deo' overhead, fascinated the children. Back home candles glowed, berried holly glistened and food and fun created a homely picture.

By 1960 I was in California, not knowing what to expect when Christmas came. Now there were lights everywhere, in the homes, on the streets and of course in the churches. Across the streets lit up reindeers and sleighs with a Santy on board looked down at us.

I remember being mesmerised at the trees being decorated with white baubles and white bells. Nevertheless the Christmas message was the same: God’s love for us and our care for each other.

Now it’s 2024 and we are about to celebrate Christmas in Ireland. It’s a different country and our modus of celebrating has changed.

Weeks ahead of December 25th shops have decorated their windows and intense advertising is ongoing, encouraging shoppers to spend. Schools are putting on Nativity plays with the students acting out the Christmas story and the churches are putting on Christmas carol services.

Here in Knock the Basilica will be beautifully decorated and there will be Midnight Mass. There will be an outdoor crib where visitors and parishioners can spend some time in prayer.

The crib is the focal point and the why of the celebrations. It’s where heaven and earth meet and where rich and poor, shepherd and king are equal. It is where humans, animals and plants all join in harmony and wonder at the child in the crib.

You are represented there.

Happy Christmas.