The most unique, extraordinary and unconventional Christmas Festivities is The Epiphany.

It celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ and tells us the story of the Magi, the Three Kings, who travelled from foreign lands in the East to bring gifts to Jesus. They were strangers, people who spoke different languages and had different beliefs. They were considered outsiders, and their presence caused unease, but their inclusion in the nativity tells us the real meaning of Jesus’ birth: a new era was coming.

Besides the profound theological aspect, there are also old traditions and folklore of the bygone days: different characters, cakes and symbols celebrate this day in many countries in the world.

In Ireland, the Epiphany is called Little Christmas or Women’s Christmas. In Irish, it is known as ’Nollaig na mBan’. To me, a surprise!

On this day, after the Christmas Season cooking and work, the exhausted women rested, celebrated for themselves and gathered for a special meal accompanied by wine.

Why is wine so important?

Women’s Christmas is rooted in the Wedding Feast of Cana. It was believed women were in the majority at the wedding, and it was a woman, the Blessed Lady, who caused the miracle to be worked and prolonged the feast: Jesus turned the water into wine.

So the women should have this time of the year set aside for their rejoicings.

Nowadays, the tradition is still strong in County Cork, and Kerry and parties of women and girls are common in bars and restaurants on this night while husbands take on household duties for the day and look after the children.

The Kerry historian and archaeologist Dr Breandán Ó Cíobháin says the tradition was (and still is) celebrated widely in the Dingle Peninsula. It used to be celebrated with a goose dinner and visits by women to each other’s houses.

But Nollaig na mBan is more than that.

In my opinion, it is a really special day when Irish people can celebrate the women’s enormous contribution to every sphere of modern Irish life and honour their strength.

From high-powered and well-educated women to simple mothers, the backbone of the family, it is easy to see their resilience and spirit.

And this makes me think about the song ‘Mná na hÉireann’ (Women of Ireland) specially set to the moving and sweet air composed by the Irish composer Seán Ó Riada.

That’s a celebration!

And now more than ever, a special thought to the frontline nurses and health workers during this pandemic.

Have an extraordinary Women’s Christmas!