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December 24, 2015

A Visit from St. Nicholas

‘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
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
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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 my bed to see what was the matter.
4
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 a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he 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!”
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As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop 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 pedler 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!”
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Reading Clement Clarke Moore’s A Visit from St. Nicholas is an annual tradition I’ll never tire of doing. That said, it’s always fun to spice things up by imagining he was writing about Eko and Penny.
It’s all elf-hands-on-deck for my mom’s annual Christmas Eve party, so I have to make like a reindeer and fly. Wishing a good night to all!

Comments for A Visit from St. Nicholas

  1. Perfect for us to read on Christmas Eve. Hope you enjoy your Mom’s Christmas Eve party and hope that all of you have a wonderful Christmas!

    Hugs, Pam and Sam

  2. Pat says:

    Hope you have a wonderful holiday. Love those reindeer! 🙂

  3. Hilarious and too cute!!!!!! Have fun at the party!!!!!!!!!

  4. coastingnz says:

    Merry Xmas to my wonderful blogging companions from the US – wishing you lots of fun filled adventures to add to the day.
    Hugs and snuggles “the Coasters”

  5. Marina Mata says:

    Merry Christmas from a new follower 🙂

  6. Awesomely done! Every story is better with the inclusion of dogs. Merry Christmas!

  7. dogdaz says:

    Great job! Be safe and enjoy your Christmas.

  8. The merriest of Christmas’ to you all! Have a pawsome time at your mom’s.

  9. Kismet says:

    Penny has started her “being good for Santa” on Christmas eve.

  10. Ogee says:

    Merry Christmas to you, Emily, Eko and Penny!

  11. that’s just great! I love it so much… have a wonderful christmas all… and btw… there is something on your nose Penny… probably ice cream :o)

  12. Are you sure it isn’t 7 Pennys pulling the sleigh as Eko gets a night of?? Merry Christmas!

  13. Your interpretation of the classic is great!

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