When we light the Christmas tree in Áras an
Uachtaráin, we remember the bereaved who are finding this Christmas
difficult; we remember those on the edge, the marginalised in our
society, our homeless people, and those who are worried about keeping a
roof over their families’ heads.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Áras an
Uachtaráin, and in tens of thousands of homes across the country, as the
Christmas trees are put up and the lights are switched on.
There are those who see Christmas trees as belonging to a pagan
pre-Christian tradition, but others see a lot of symbolism in the sylvan
decoration: the evergreen leaves a symbol of the promise of everlasting
life; the illuminated adornments a metaphor for the ‘light that shines
out of the darkness’. Either way, Christmas trees are very much a sign
that the preparation for Christmas has started and are a firm part of
our seasonal traditions.
At the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Áras on Saturday,
President Michael D. Higgins said: “One of the most important things
about Christmas is the valuable opportunity it gives us to enjoy the
gift of togetherness; to reflect and realise how lucky we are to be
surrounded by those who love us and care about us.
“For many of us it would be impossible to imagine Christmas Day
without our families or without the memories we carry of all the
traditions that we have built up together over the years. We bring these
traditions with us into adult life and, in time, pass them on to our
own children and to their children, each generation weaving something
precious into the family Christmas story.”
He commented that “In essence, that is the most important part of
Christmas; more important than any presents, parties, or even Santa
coming down the chimney on Christmas Eve. The coming together of
families, friends and communities, and the placing of each other at the
very heart and centre of the festive celebration, is what our tree
lighting is about each December.”
Referring to those who have moved far from home, he said that
“Christmas can be a challenging time for those who are living far away
from the country of their birth and who depend on the kindness of new
friends and neighbours as they celebrate Christmas in a new country, and
a new home.”
President Higgins said that “When we light the Christmas tree in Áras
an Uachtaráin, we will remember the bereaved who are finding this
Christmas difficult; we will remember those on the edge, the
marginalised in our society, our homeless people, and those who are
worried about keeping a roof over their families’ heads; we will think
of all those who are sick or lonely or feeling sad or worried; we will
have in mind in a special way our new Irish community as they recreate
precious family traditions here in their new homeland; we will be
thinking of our emigrants, especially those who cannot make it home this
Christmas; we will be sending our warmest appreciation to members of
the Irish Defence Forces who will be absent from home this Christmas due
to peace-keeping duties abroad; and we will remember all the wonderful
people who will be working this Christmas to keep us safe and well – the
Gardaí, the fire service and all the medical staff who will ensure that
the sick and the elderly continue to be cared for while the rest of us
are enjoying our family celebrations.
“Let us also this evening, and through the season and coming year,
remember the friends and neighbours, and colleagues, or school friends
who are not as fortunate as us, and let us resolve to reach out to them
and to try to make their Christmas a little bit happier and a little bit
easier.”
He concluded: “I wish each and every one of you a very happy and peaceful Christmas.”