Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see
Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the kIng
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

So to honor Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
When we come

Little baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum

Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

Candle In The Window is a common site throughout Ireland as it has been
for centuries. The lit candle, placed there Christmas eve is welcoming sign
to the holy family Joseph & Mary. In addition to this symbol of
hospitality, in times of persecution, the lit candle served as secret sign to
priests indicating that the home was a refuge and a safe place to perform the
mass which was forbidden by the crown.

A Laden Table is another traditional Irish Christmas rite. Following the Christmas Eve dinner, the table is reset. A loaf of bread, stuffed
with raisins and caraway seeds is placed upon the table along with a jug of
milk. The front door is left unlatched and a lit candle is placed upon
the
table. The Holy Family or other weary travellers are thus welcome in the home. It is said that the light of the candle serves as a beacon for the angels to bring the Babe from Heaven.

The Twelve Days of Christmas is song with which we are all familiar.

After about the second week of December many of us are familiar enough that t
we don't care to hear it again for another year, but this song is much more than just background noixe in the mall. The origin of the song dates to16th century when persecuted Catholics throughout the British Isles used the song as secret method of teaching the catechism. The public teaching or writing of these beliefs was held as high crime and was punished sverely and in some instances by death. Thus children were taught the rhymes and their secret meanings so that there need be no written record. Here are the true meanings of the songs twelve verses: Throughout the song the "True Love" Heavenly Father gives these gifts to us:

A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Two Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity
Four Calling Birds = The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
Five Golden Rings = The Pentateuch, The First Five Books of the Old
Testament
Six Geese a-laying = The Six Days of Creation.
Seven Swans a-swimming = The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Seven
Sacraments.
Eight Maids a-milking = The Eight Beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing = The Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Ten Lords a-leaping = The Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping = The Eleven Faithful Apostles
Twelve Drummers Drumming = The Twelve Points of the Apostle's Creed

Did You Know?
The use of holly as a Christmas decoration originated in Ireland where
peasant families decorated their doors with wreaths and swags made from
the abundant plant.