Tuesday 24 December 2013

Christmas Eve - My Favourite Poem of Christmas Eve

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 tinny 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!"

                                                          Clement Clarke Moore

Merry Christmas to all my Bloggers and Friends around the World!  Thanks for all your visits during 2013 and am looking forward to creating more and meeting more of you.

Hugs to all

Hettie

9 comments:

Mrs A. said...

And a very Merry Christmas to you too.
Erm there is just one slight problem now that I has a cage fitted on to my chimney to keep the darn pidgeons out how is santa gonna get down the said chimney!!!
hugs Mrs A.

Sarn said...

Merry Christmas my friend.
Hugs
Sarn xxx

Di said...

Bless you Sam - lovely!

Hugs from Di ....and Parsnip ( who is becoming a bit of a diva I fear!)
xxx

scrappymo! said...

Merry Christmas Hettie!

Love this poem too.

Terry said...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Hugs!

Jan said...

Best wishes for the coming New Year X

Jan x

Bonnie said...

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Hettie! I'm looking forward to your 2014 creations!

fairy thoughts said...

I always used to read that to the girls on Christmas Eve every year it's my favourite too.
The chocolate coins went down very well :-)
Happy new year
Janet

Darnell said...

A perfect Christmas post, Sam! Thank you for a fun year and more to come in 2014!! Happy New Year!! Darnell