The poem The Night Before Christmas, originally titled A Visit from St. Nicholas, was first published anonymously in 1823 and is attributed to Clement Clarke Moore. It is one of the most iconic Christmas poems and has helped shape the modern image of Santa Claus. Here's the story:
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The poem begins in a quiet home on Christmas Eve. The children are snug in their beds, dreaming of holiday treats, while the stockings hang empty by the chimney, awaiting St. Nicholas’s visit.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below.
Outside, the world is peaceful and still under a blanket of fresh snow. The narrator is about to settle in for the night when a sudden noise on the lawn grabs his attention.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
Peeking out the window, the narrator is astonished to see a magical sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer. The driver is a lively, jolly old man dressed in fur—St. Nicholas himself! Despite his small stature, he exudes a commanding presence.
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!"
Santa calls out to his reindeer, guiding them to the rooftop with incredible speed and precision. The sleigh lands softly, and the narrator hears the sound of hooves on the shingles.
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
Santa enters the house through the chimney, his cheeks rosy and his eyes twinkling with mischief. He carries a sack full of toys, which he begins to distribute.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
The narrator observes Santa with amazement and a hint of amusement. Despite his portly figure, Santa moves with ease and efficiency, filling the stockings with care.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk.
Without a word, Santa completes his task and prepares to leave. He gives a knowing nod, climbs back up the chimney, and takes off into the night.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
With a final farewell, Santa and his sleigh disappear into the sky, leaving the household in peace and wonder.
The poem captures the magic and anticipation of Christmas Eve, painting a vivid picture of Santa Claus as a cheerful, mystical figure who spreads joy and wonder. Its imagery and charm have made it a timeless holiday tradition.
Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model
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