A Visit from St. Nicholas for Santas to Read

A  Visit from St. Nicholas 

This is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who claimed authorship in 1837.  This version was edited by Marc Kohler for reading by Santas

 

‘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 I, Santa, soon would be there;

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

(You can name popular toy names here)

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and Dad in his cap,

Had just settled their brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter ,

Mom and Dad sprang from their bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window they flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave a luster of midday to objects below,

When what to their wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

They saw me, a little old driver so lively and quick,

They knew in a moment it must be me, St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles my reindeer they came,

And I 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 housetop the reindeer and I flew

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

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

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As they drew in their heads, and were turning around,

Down the chimney I came with a bound.

I was dressed all in fur, from my head to my foot,

And my clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys I had flung on my back,

And I looked like a peddler just opening my pack.

My eyes—how they twinkled! my dimples, how merry!

My cheeks were like roses, my nose like a cherry!

My droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, (A smile)

And the beard on my chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe I held tight in my teeth,

And I blew bubbles that encircled my head like a wreath;

I had a broad face and a little round belly

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

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

And they laughed when they saw me, in spite of themselves;

A wink of my eye and a twist of my head

Soon gave them to know they had nothing to dread;(Be afraid of)

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,

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

And laying my finger aside of my nose, 

 (Everyone put your finger on your nose)

And giving a nod, up the chimney I rose;

I sprang to my sleigh, to my team gave a whistle,

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

(Thistles have seeds that float through the air,

So gently, my sleigh took flight.)

But they heard me exclaim, ere I drove out of sight—

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Peace on earth!

 

*”Donder” was changed over the years to “Donner”. I prefer “Donder” which means “Thunder” in Dutch. “Bltizen” in German/Dutch means “Flash” and lightening.