A welcome for the wayfarer has long been a part of the Irish Christmas tradition, particularly on Christmas Eve when a candle in thewindow, bid traveller to reset from their journey, the belief that inwelcoming the wayfarer, we are welcoming the wandering Joseph and Mary with the child Jesus.

Poet Maire Mac an Tsaoi captured the idea beautifully in her poem

“Oiche Nollag”:

With candle of angels the sky in now dappled,

the frost on the wind from the hills has a bite,

Kindle your fire and go to your slumber

Jesus will lie in this household to-night.

Leave all the doors wide open before her

The Virgin will come with the child on her breast

Grant that you’ll stop here to-night Holy Mary

that Jesus to-night in this household may rest.

The lights are all lighting in that little hostel

there were generous servings of vituals and wine

From merchants of silk, from merchants of woollens

But Jesus will lie in this household to-night.