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 government mandated that all should be counted, in order to be taxed. Joseph and Mary began a long journey to the town of Bethleham to register. Mary, heavy with child, sat atop the donkey, her mind full of thoughts about the miracle of her life.
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.
Tired, and hungry, the two weary travelers arrived only to find that there was no place for them to sleep. The owner of a local inn…took pity on them and offered them his stable for the night.
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.
Mary and Joseph gave thanks to God for a warm, dry place to sleep. They snuggled down in the fresh straw, covering themselves with their cloaks. They fell fast asleep, exhausted from the long day behind them.
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 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!
Mary woke Joseph, excitement filled her soul as she told him that the baby would be born that night. His soft voice comforted her as she brought forth a son. The Son of God.
"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.
Mary wrapped her son in swaddling cloths, while Joseph filled the manger with fresh, clean straw. The rest of the night, they held each other and watched as the Savior of mankind slept peacefully.
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.
Shepherds traveling in the night, were startled by the appearance of a bright star…as they watched over their sheep. An angel came to them and began to speak…
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!
The angel told the shepherds not to be afraid. “I am here to bring you good news for all people. This night in Bethlehem a baby has been born. He is the one that will save the world. You will know Him because He will be wrapped in cloths, and will be laying in a manger.”
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.
The angel was joined by a choir of angels. “Glory to God, and peace to all people on earth.” they sang. Then…as suddenly as they had appeared…they were gone.
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!"
Following the star, the shepherds soon found the stable…and the baby in the manger…just as the angels had said. They fell to their knees and gave thanks to God for this child…who would save even them.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
Christmas Story retold by jschoonover
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