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!”
Merry Christmas Smart Canuck Readers!
Merry Christmas to everybody! And Thanks for all the help you guys gave us the whole year.
That’s one pretty pic of St. Nick.
Thanks to the Smart Cancucks crew and all who contributed!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
Merry Christmas to all of the very generous SC’s and their families, from mine to yours. 🙂
happy holidays and merry christmas, SC! thanks to everyone on SC for being so awesome!
Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas to all SC’ers and thier families 🙂
Merry Christmas Boo Radley, Sally and all the wonderful people who manage this site and Merry Christmas to all the Smart Canucks in Canada!
Merry Christmast!
Didn’t someone write an SC version of night before christmas last year?
Just ignore the spelling mistake!
merry xmas to all the smart canucks and to everyone who runs the site-love it-save me a ton this year
Merry Christmas everyone!
Have a safe and joyous holiday everyone!!
Merry Christmas and many thanks to all SCers!
Merry Christmas everyone
Merry Christmas to ALL… I hope your Christmas is Perfect.
Merry Christmas everyone and thank you smartcanucks for all your help with Christmas shopping this year (:
Merry Christmas!
And to all a good night too! Merry Christmas y’all!
Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!
Thanks to everyone for their hard work with the blog and site!
Merry Christmas!
frugirl likes this post.
Joyeux Noel a tous les francophones sur ce site. Merry Christmas! xoxo Lynn