Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were humg 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 me in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winters 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-fallem snow Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight raindeer. 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 a sleigh full of toys,and St Nicholas too. And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and paceing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around. Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. He spoke not a word, but went straight to 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 thay all flew like the down from a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT. From the poem called "A visit from St Nicholas" written in 1822 by Clement Clark Moore. Picture taken from my back door.