Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
by Clement Clarke Moore
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of midday to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer! 
Now, Prancer and Vixen!

On Comet! On, Cupid!
 On Donner and Blitzen!


To the top of the porch!
 To the top of the wall!


Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!"


As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!


His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!


His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,


And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.



The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.


A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.


He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.


But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

11 comments:

Sarah said...

Have a happy, happy Christmas!

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

Merry Christmas!

N said...

Merry Christmas.

Betty said...

Blessed Christmas to you as well!

Amanda said...

I love that poem! I can actually recite quite a bit of it from memory :) I'm five hours into my Christmas day and should really be asleep, but I'm feeling ridiculously awake, for all that it's morning and I haven't yet managed to fall asleep.

Connie said...

They recited this poem for the kids at the school winter assembly :-) Merry Christmas!!!

United Studies said...

Merry Christmas to you and your husband! Hugs..

MaricrisG said...

Merry Christmas sweetie! I hope you enjoy the holidays!

Maricris
www.goldenflowercreations.com

Anonymous said...

I do love this poem as do my kids!

Hope you have a joyous Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Bradford is just making the orange pudding and here we are making trifle!
Christmas is well underway.
Happy Christmas to all and a Merry HoHo.
merthyrmum

Jenni said...

Good God! I've been reading and/or listening to this poem every friggin' day for the past couple of weeks... Aaaahhhhh!