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. Nicholoas 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 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 window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on he 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 sleight, 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, 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 a 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 a 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, as he drove out of sight ...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT

For the last eleven years I have read this story every Christmas eve to my children - and the tradition will continue on tonight.

If you have little ones, IMO this is the best way in the world to send them to bed on the most magical night of the year.

Posted by baccarat0809 at 12/24/2012 10:46 AM

For the last eleven years I have read this story every Christmas eve to my children - and the tradition will continue on tonight.

If you have little ones, IMO this is the best way in the world to send them to bed on the most magical night of the year.

I started this two years ago with my kids. Did last night all together in one bed before we sent them to sleep.
Is a classic that captures everything.

+1 dude...most definately.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Lucky kids. =)

Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays to all! =)