Thursday 24 December 2009

Merry Christmas To All!


Just popping in to wish all of my dear readers a very Merry Christmas..... I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow!

I always used to read this story to my children on Christmas Eve, so settle down with a cup of hot chocolate & we'll begin....

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 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, 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-nig
ht!"

11 comments:

  1. I love that story! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Rachel x

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  2. I think us mums must know it off by heart having read it a least once every year.......

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  3. I love that story - used to read it to my 2 when they were tiny.

    Have a lovely christmas.

    Vicki xxx

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  4. I was just about to send my Christmas wishes to you when your comment arrived on the Custard doorstep!
    I am guessing by your comment that your Aga is not burning brightly tonight? I do hope it doesn't take too long to cook that turkey over a candle flame..
    Have a wonderful day with the family Jayne.. and look forward to our new ventures in 2010..
    Have fun..
    With love
    Michele and the rest of the Custards xxx

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  5. One of my faves,Jayne!
    Have fun ;-)

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  6. A lovely reminder of Christmas' past. I used to be a teacher and that was a favourite:)
    Happy Christmas to you and yours.
    Lesley XX

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  7. Aww, love that story!!
    we've just put the kids to bed and i've a feeling santa will arrive fairly soon at this house ;)

    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas
    Micki x

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  8. Hi Jayne, heres wishing you a very lovely merry time, have a smashing day, Jane xxxx

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  9. We've just read that and Kippers Christmas Eve :)
    Have a lovely Christmas
    Twiggy x

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  10. Merry Christmas to you and your family

    Victoria xx

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  11. Merry Christmas Jayne - hope you and your family have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Lesley

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