🚀 go-pugleaf

benson@siemens.com. (Dan Benson) writes:

$ Does anyone know the history or significance behind the tradition of
$ placing a candle (or electric look-alike) in every window of a house
$ around this time of year?

$ My wife and I recently moved to NJ (from Seattle) and it's the first
$ time we've seen this phenomenon and wondered what it means. Is it
$ religous? Amish? Is it practiced all over NJ? In other states?
$ Who started it?

$ We've asked several locals but no one seems to know very much about
$ the custom. Any light that someone can shed on this question would
$ be most appreciated!

These are for Chanuka, the Jewish festival of lights.  But I thought
that Chanuka starts on the 20th of the month this year, so I can't
explain why you're seeing them already.
-- 
Tom Reingold
AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ
tommy@boole.att.com or att!boole!tommy

From article <111543@siemens.siemens.com>, by benson@siemens.com. (Dan Benson):
> Does anyone know the history or significance behind the tradition of
> placing a candle (or electric look-alike) in every window of a house
> around this time of year?
> 
> My wife and I recently moved to NJ (from Seattle) and it's the first
> time we've seen this phenomenon and wondered what it means. Is it
> religous? Amish? Is it practiced all over NJ? In other states?
> Who started it?

It's Moravian in origin.  Probably the Amish and other Germanic cultures
did it, too.

BTW, the first decorated (with candles, naturally) Christmas tree in America
was done by the Moravians in Bethlehem, PA around 200 years ago.

In article <111543@siemens.siemens.com>, benson@siemens.com. (Dan Benson) writes:
> Does anyone know the history or significance behind the tradition of
> placing a candle (or electric look-alike) in every window of a house
> around this time of year?
> 
> My wife and I recently moved to NJ (from Seattle) and it's the first
> time we've seen this phenomenon and wondered what it means. Is it
> religous? Amish? Is it practiced all over NJ? In other states?
> Who started it?
> 
> We've asked several locals but no one seems to know very much about
> the custom. Any light that someone can shed on this question would
> be most appreciated!
> 
> 
> --
> Dan Benson                           Siemens Corporate Research, Inc.
> (609) 734-3668                       755 College Road East
> dbenson@siemens.siemens.com          Princeton, NJ  08540


Dan:

	The custom as far as I know it is from the "Northern European"
	Cultures (Polish,Slovac...).  

	The background meaning -

	Lighted candles are placed in the windows to aid/guide/welcome
	weary travelers.  This ties in with the tradition of setting an
	extra place setting on the Holiday Dinner table.


	Present Day Meaning - It looks good at the Smithski's house.

	This area had many Northern European immigrants settle into
	fairly large communities.  As time went by the communities
	broke up and dispersed through the state.

	Perth Amboy, New Brunswick were examples of this.


	Have a good holiday my friend!

	John Skiendziel

tommy@hilbert.att.com (Tom Reingold) writes:

>benson@siemens.com. (Dan Benson) writes:

>These are for Chanuka, the Jewish festival of lights.  But I thought
>that Chanuka starts on the 20th of the month this year, so I can't
>explain why you're seeing them already.

The Manoras (sp?) are for Chanuka.  These are candelabras which hold 9
candles.  The single electric candles are Christmas decorations.  Its
a sign of welcome. 

Putting a candle in the window is a symbol of peace and goodwill in
general.  More specifically, it is an equivalent to the modern day
"I'll leave the light on for you".  Which is also a welcoming type
of gesture.

We do this every year because it looks nice and to remind us of 
"the olden days" - we weren't alive then, but we are kind of
reenacting the old times.

Also, candles are a very significant symbol in Christmas celebrations
and in Christianity in general.  The bible uses candles and lights as
metaphors for Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Candles are also used in
something called an "Advent Wreath".  Which is a wreath which sits on
a table an has 4 candles in it, one for each week preceeding
Christmas, and then for Christmas.  There is a significant even during
each week and a candle is lit in memory of it.

Other than that, I don't think the candles themselves have any specific
meaning.

On Christmas eve, go out for a drive and you may see many houses
that have their front walks lined with candles.  They take white paper
bags, fill them about 3-4 inches with sand, then put a candle in each
one.  They line their front walks with these, kind of like landing
lights.

These are called Luminiares, which is properly pronounced lum-in-yares,
but the locals call them Luminaries.  Its a french word with means
lights or something like that.  There is a religious significance
to them, but I don't know what it is.  Some people say that they
are Santa's landing lights - but I think thats a joke.

Anyway, when my dad gets home from work, I'll ask him - he knows.






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Publications Coordinator - User Services
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