Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!



'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 mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down 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, DONDER 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 hand, 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 bowlful 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!"

13 Comments:

Blogger Mrs. Walker said...

Merry Christmas Michelle!

December 24, 2007 at 12:43 PM  
Blogger Price Cream Parlor said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I need to call Janae and get your address to mail your card! Better late than never, righ? Enjoy this holiday with your family!

December 24, 2007 at 1:54 PM  
Blogger jenny said...

One of my favorite stories. Hope you are having a great Eve before Christmas!! Merry Christmas tomorrow!

December 24, 2007 at 8:18 PM  
Blogger Rachel said...

I just finished reading this to my three boys before kissing them good night. My Luke (who's nearly 6) is the very most excited and it's just so fun to see that excitement in his eyes! Merry Christmas, Michelle! :)

December 24, 2007 at 8:56 PM  
Blogger sista # 2 said...

Merry Christmas!(frames turned out great)ciao

December 25, 2007 at 10:34 AM  
Blogger Crazymamaof6 said...

Hope your Christmas was fabulous with your family! hugs!

December 25, 2007 at 9:16 PM  
Blogger erin said...

Hope you guys have fun in Utah! Stay warm & be safe especially while driving! I will miss you guys so much!!!! :)
Love you all,
Erin

December 26, 2007 at 9:45 AM  
Blogger SuperCoolMom said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This is our Christmas Eve tradition - Dad always reads this to the kids just before we go to bed.

December 29, 2007 at 10:23 AM  
Blogger carey said...

Gotta love this one - it's timeless indeed! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Michelle.

December 29, 2007 at 8:25 PM  
Blogger Liz Snowden said...

Happy New Year, Michele!

January 1, 2008 at 6:34 AM  
Blogger Melinda said...

Great family favorite story. Hope you had a great Christmas. Love the beehive gifts!

January 1, 2008 at 2:41 PM  
Blogger donna said...

I hope you had merry christmas and a wonderul new year :)

January 1, 2008 at 4:26 PM  
Blogger Shelly said...

I love this poem. Thanks for posting!

January 6, 2008 at 2:46 PM  

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