24 December 2010

The Night Before 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 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, 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 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!"

31 comments:

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said... [reply]

Kelsey, this is the cutest post ever!!!! Happy Christmas eve and Merry Christmas! <3

xoXOxo
jenn

nourishedwellness said... [reply]

Merry xmas Love!! :)

Anonymous said... [reply]

Cuuuuuuuuute post! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said... [reply]

So sweet. Have a happy Christmas, Kelsey! Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said... [reply]

Merry Christmas :-)

Kath said... [reply]

I hope you slept well into Christmas day! Have a wonderful holiday! :)

Tatianna said... [reply]

Merry Christmas Kelsey!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Thank you for the lovely story. Merry Christmas!

Mandiee said... [reply]

Merry Christmas to you, too, huni! I loved the story :). My grandmother and I actually just recorded us reading it so that we could send it to my cousin/her other granddaughter (she's 2). It has a very special place in my heart.

I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Have a lovely day!
xox

Kris | Iheartwellness.com said... [reply]

Merry Christmas Kelsey!! I love your story :)

have a beautiful day!

xxoo

Anonymous said... [reply]

Merry Christmas!

Amazing story

Chef Dennis Littley said... [reply]

Kelsey
What a great post! Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas!
Dennis

Anonymous said... [reply]

Merry Christmas to you too!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said... [reply]

What an awesome post! Thanks for checking out my blog Merry Christmas !!

erica said... [reply]

Merry Christmas girly!!!!

xo

Anonymous said... [reply]

SQUIRRELL PARTY TIMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYY TYME SQUIRLLE

Ashlei said... [reply]

Merry Christmas!!! :)

Anonymous said... [reply]

This is the cutest thing I have ever seen! Merry Christmas. :) :)

Kiki said... [reply]

Awww, this is the sweetest post I've ever seen! Hope you're having a very Merry Christmas!

Lisa Fine said... [reply]

Merry Christmas, Kelsey! Hope you are having a wonderful day and weekend. xo

Katrina (Betty Ray) said... [reply]

What a cute post. I love it!!

Lawyer Loves Lunch said... [reply]

Love the army of reindeer! Merry Christmas, Kelsey!

Baking 'n' Books said... [reply]

This made me smile :) God Bless and Merry Holidays to you.

Chelsea said... [reply]

Merry Christmas Kelsey! I hope you had a wonderful day girl! :)

Meri said... [reply]

What a cheery little post Kelsey! I am in love with those reindeer.
Happy Christmas!
Meri

Anonymous said... [reply]

ahaha, absolutely love the cookies and the note! Merry Christmas!

chow and chatter said... [reply]

what a cute post and adorable blog love the eggy gingerbread - bread

Merry Christmas

Rebecca

Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) said... [reply]

LOL, LOVE the story and pictures!!

Merry Christmas, sweet squirrel! <3

xoxo

Anonymous said... [reply]

This is so cute and was really fun to read! :) I love the reindeer! Merry Christmas <3

Missy said... [reply]

That's the cutest note to Santa from an adult ever ... and the best looking presentation of Santa cookies too!

I bet Santa appreciated it...everyone is watching Food Network these days (0:

Heidi - Apples Under My Bed said... [reply]

This is gorgeous :) Merry Christmas!
Heidi xo

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