Over to Ireland now. It’s a tradition to put a red candle in the window to welcome people in.
Apparently this tradition started back in the days when people in Ireland were not allowed to follow the Catholic faith. The candle was a secret sign to any passing priest, that he would be welcome in to say Mass for Christmas.
And look, what a coincidence! Today’s picture on the calendar is a candle too!
Well, today is St Patrick’s Day. St Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland. He escaped, but he went back to Ireland to preach Christianity. Which was quite a new thing back then.
He used the 3 leaves of the Shamrock plant to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people, and so people often wear a sprig of Shamrock to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
There is also a legend that he commanded all the snakes to leave Ireland!
And it’s true there are no native snakes in Ireland to this day – but in fact there never were, as they didn’t make it back to Ireland after the last Ice Age.
Hold on, says Microvaark, here’s another snake!
Oh! It’s not a snake, it’s Ernest’s snozzle! He’s fallen asleep!
Ernest is very sorry to have fallen asleep, but he said the sermon was a bit long, and a bit boring in parts.
Never mind Ernest. Wake yourself up with a snack and a nice restorative pint of Guinness.
In fact, let’s all have a little drink, and Peggy can entertain us with some Irish dancing.
So, if you’re celebrating today, stay safe, and we wish you all Sláinte!, or “Health!”
