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Saturday, December 24, 2016

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2016


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 lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of mid-day 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 of 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,
while 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!"



12 comments:

  1. Have a wonderful Christmas and there are some great videos online on how to make shiney brite wreaths. That is how I learned how to make mine.

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  2. I love that poem and at one time had it memorized. I suppose you will be posting photos of Christmas cooking?

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  3. What a perfectly thing to post on Christmas Eve. Thank you so much. I actually took the time to read it and it gave me a moment to sit and relax between batches of peanut butter fudge and pralines. Merry Christmas!

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  4. A VERY happy Christmas to you and 2nd man. I hope the New Year brings you wonders too.

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  5. Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas to One and All.

    May the meaning of Christmas be Deeper.
    It's Friendships' Stronger
    It's Hopes Brighter
    as it comes to You this Year.

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  6. 1st and 2nd, have the best Christmas and a better New Year.

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  7. Let the spirit of Christmas warm your home with love, joy and peace.

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  8. This is my favorite Christmas story! I've had it memorized since early childhood. Thanks for the lovely memory!

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