The Christmas tradition now 'more 12 pubs' than mass for young people in Ireland, one former Church goer has said. 

Growing up, James would faithfully attend Mass with his parents for Christmas and Easter. 

Even when the family was in England visiting relatives, a Church was found to mark important occasions in the Christian calendar. 

Now, things are completely different and James feels very few of his friends will be spotted in a pew this Christmas. 

“Maybe a couple who I used to go to school with,” he told Lunchtime Live. 

“Honestly, as a younger person - and to be honest with you, most people of all ages - the Christmas tradition is to either spend it with your family or go out and do a substantial amount of drinking in 12 pubs or whatnot,” he said. 

“I don't see any at all my age doing it [Mass]. 

“But that's just the general decline and sort of attendance of religion and belief in God for all young people or most people, to be honest, these days.”

Christmas mass. Picture by: Marcel Mettelsiefen. 

Also on the programme, Fr Paddy Byrne said people however many Masses people attended during the year, they should feel comfortable and welcome attending Mass at Christmas. 

“The first people who heard were shepherds and they were very much on the margins, the periphery,” he said. 

“When they made their way to be surprised at the beauty and wonder and awe at the presence of the little Christ child, I’m sure the Christ child wasn’t concerned how frequently they attended the Temple. 

“In fact, they were probably prohibited because of [restrictions] from entering the Temple. 

“So, I use Christmas… as a time to welcome - and particularly welcome families.” 

Christmas Lights and shoppers on Grafton Street Dublin. Picture by: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie. 

Fr Bryne added that people in the modern world live with a lot of pressure and a person can be a good Christian even if they only occasionally visit a Church. 

“The days of measuring people's personal faith or the joy that that brings into life and family life, it's not measured necessarily by the frequency one sits at pews,” he said. 

“And perhaps when the pews were full, we failed to evangelise, we failed to bring a sense of owning the beauty of the Christian story, which is 1,500 years in existence on our island.”

Main image: People outside a pub at night. Picture by: Alamy.com.