What are the similarities and differences between this irish holiday tradition, and the one(s) your family or United States residents celebrate?

Some similarities and differences between Irish and American holiday traditions are that Christmas while in Ireland was a lot like Christmas in America. Family, friends, a Christmas tree, lots of food, and gifts. But there were a few Irish things that are different. Firstly, the Christmas dinner. It reminded me a lot of Thanksgiving dinner back home. Turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and vegetables. It was of course very tasty. Another thing was the lighting of the lights in the town. It was at the beginning of December. There is live music, free food, fireworks and interesting puppet-like things of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. It isn’t a long event, and it is very cold. Something else that was quite different than the usual were the school celebrations. Catholic schools, have a big Christmas party of all sorts on the last day of school.

the swan might be a metaphor for our soul, which is ancient and timeless. the speaker wants to know where it's going and what it wants, what's the purpose in life. he asks our soul to follow him in knowing that god is us and the answer to the question "who am i" that was written on the wind of god's whim to know himself that blew over his being in the beginning of creation. and to connect to god consciously on the path to knowing him is the joy of loving him, like a bee that will grow and end our sorrows by ending desire. in that connection there is no doubt about god and existing forever.

i don't think it's a good idea to threaten anyone at all.