Putting a candle in the window is a very Irish tradition which is said to date from Penal times. At Christmas the candle was often lit by the youngest child in the house and put in the window to indicate a place of welcome to the Baby Jesus and the stranger. “Back home in Limerick, as the youngest in the family I had that privilege every Christmas of lighting of lighting the candle and putting in the window,” recalls Fr Pat Raleigh.