‘Tis the day before Christmas, and outside the teach
The snow is now frozen as hard as a rock.
Our stockings are hung by the chimney with tape,

Christmas "stockings," courtesy of Patrick

And chains in our doorway look like a big drape.

Epic paper chain drape and our lovely tree

The kings in our manger set made some new friends
That look just a bit like our Thanksgiving hens.

Our Magi and friends

We’ve baked, we’ve watched movies, we’ve spread Christmas cheer;
It’s just hard to believe that it’s actually here.

My housemates are nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Christmas Elves dance in their heads;
With Jess in her onesie, and Patch in his sweats,
We’re cozy and warm; it’s as good as it gets.

We’ve had a “late lie-in” to start Christmas Eve,
But soon everybody will get dressed to leave.
We can’t lounge for long ‘cause we’ve got loads to do,
We’re singing for Masses, and playing them too:

Clarisa will cantor and I’ll do my best,
Though playing the organ at times makes me stressed.
Then children will tell the Nativity tale––
With costumes and carols they’re sure to regale.

Our late Mass begins, but not at midnight;
It starts sharp at 9, so be there tonight.
Our choir will be singing with full heart and voice,
Proclaiming Christ’s birth as the faithful rejoice.

We’ll sing “Hark the Herald,” and “O Holy Night,”
We’ll sing to praise Jesus, who makes darkness bright,
For few things in this life will ever be better
Than singing the tidings of Christmas together.

We miss being home with our fam’lies, it’s true,
But this year God’s asked us to try something new.
Our Christmas in Ireland we won’t soon forget,
And I know that it won’t ever be a regret.

The people are lovely, and lively and quick,
With laughter and joy that would rival St. Nick.
Though we might feel homesick, in spite of ourselves,
We’ll sing, we’ll make merry, we’ll catch those dang Elves.

And come Christmas Day we’ll be caroling still,
We’ll “sing and play loudly, with all of [our] skill.”
And when all our work at the parish is done,
We’ll go to a friend’s house for family and fun.

For really, our fam’lies have now been extended,
And will be long after our time here has ended.
We’ve all been adopted, I’m grateful to say,
By folks who won’t let us be lonely today.

And you can still see us, there’s no need to gripe––
We’ll send Christmas wishes tomorrow on Skype!
So as you spend Christmas with loved ones so dear,
Think of us spending our Christmas right here.

And though you may miss us ‘round your Christmas trees,
Just know that we’re right where God meant us to be.
God bless all our loved ones, and bless us indeed:
Merry Christmas to all, with love from Teach Bhríde!