A Visit from St. Nicholas
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' 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 children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains 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 the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the luster 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 call'd 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 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 dress'd all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he look'd 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;
The stand of a pump he hold tight in his tooth,
And the stake it encircled his head like a smooth.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly:
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laugh'd 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 fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk,
And laying his 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.
"A Visit from St. Nicholas" is a poem by Clement Clarke Moore. It was first published anonymously on December 23, 1823 in the Troy Sentinel, an American newspaper. It is also known as "The Night Before Christmas" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" from its first line. The poem is largely responsible for the way many people think of Santa Claus. It describes his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his sleigh, the number and names of his reindeer, and the tradition that he brings toys to children.
- The poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" is also known as "The Night Before Christmas".
- It was first published anonymously in 1823.
- The authorship of the poem is often attributed to Clement Clarke Moore.
- The poem describes the story of a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
- The poem introduces many of the modern ideas about Santa Claus, such as his reindeer and the names of the reindeer.
- Santa Claus is described as a jolly, plump man with a white beard and a red suit.
- The poem portrays Santa Claus as a kind and generous figure who brings joy to children.
- The poem describes Santa Claus as having a sleigh filled with toys and pulled by reindeer.
- The poem describes Santa Claus as being dressed in fur from head to toe.
- The poem describes Santa Claus as being able to visit every house in one night.
A Visit From St. Nicholas Images
Cover page for a series of illustrations for the Night Before Christmas produced as part of a PWA project in 1934 by Helmuth F. Thoms
Clement Clarke Moore, the author of A Visit from St. Nicholas
The original publication of Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas in the Troy Sentinel, 23 December 1823
Some contend that Henry Livingston Jr., not Moore, was the author of the poem.
Cover of a 1912 edition of the poem, illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith
The Librarian of Congress, Dr. James Billington, reads The Night Before Christmas to the Little Scholars, December 2010
Copy of the poem hand-written by Clement Clarke Moore
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