[Vision2020] 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

[Art Deco]

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!" 

Yes.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Saundra Lund" <sslund at roadrunner.com>
To: <Vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:50 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] 'Twas the Night Before Christmas


> Twas the night before Christmas, 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 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.
> 
> 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 lustre of mid-day to objects below.
> When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
> But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny 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, 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 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!
> 
> 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.
> 
> 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!" 
> 
> ~ Clement Clarke Moore
> 
> 
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