A Visit from St. Nicholas
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"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the housenot 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 sugarplums danced in their heads,and Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap,had just settled down 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 windows I flew like a flash,tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.The moon on the breast of the new fallen snowgave the luster of midday to objects below;when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny 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 Donder 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 roofthe 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 was 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 bellythat 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 headsoon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.He said not a word, but went straight to his work,and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,and laying a finger aside of his nose,and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.He sprung 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!'"by Clement Clarke MooreWishing you and yours a very merry Christmas.
