'Twas the Night Before Christmas

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Twas the Night Before Christmas, originally called A Visit from St. Nicholas, was written in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore. Although there is some discrepancy as to the actual author. It is general thought if this was not the work of Moore, than it was actually written by Major Henry Livingston, Jr, a distant relative of Moores wife.

This work remains within the public domain and has been reworked and reprinted thousands of time.

I REPEAT! THIS STORY IS PUBLIC DOMAIN!

Yes, I have 3 children but one was doing a school project and the other. would. not. sit. still. :)

Enjoy!

'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 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 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, 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 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 hand, 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."

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[anmoose]

I hadn't actually sat and listened to this old tale for many a year. You made me stop and smile and remember. Thanks, Carrie!

[AskCarrieLee]

Perfect! A smile is what I'm looking for!

[regamom3]

Merry Christmas Carrie Lee!!!

My hubby reads this story every Christmas Eve before the kids go to sleep!

Sooo faved this vid!!!

[AskCarrieLee]

My mom always read this right after hanging our stockings and right before we went to bed. She STILL reads it every Christmas to my kids. Needless to say, she has it memorized! :)

[ThOverdrive]

Wow she was so well behaved while listening. I am not used to seeing a kid just sit there nicely and listen. Best part was at the end - Happy Holidays!

[AskCarrieLee]

Its so funny, this is the first time I've ever had to "direct" one of my kids, so to speak. All I said was, don't forget to smile and be sure to look at the book & not directly at the camera. Beau, this was our FIRST TAKE! I did two of them but I had an allergy attack mid way through the second. But I was amazed how well she did too! (my little actress!)

[AbbyBrookeSeveng]

Cute Kid!

[jenaeq]

SUBSCRIBE TO JENAEQ !

[POPARTPRODUCTlONS]

Merry Chrismas CL, to you and your family!!!

[tomken8dy]

Merry Christmas, you guys!

Carrie-Lee, you really are prettier looking in person. :-))

[3slimdog]

I love seeing a parent read to their child. What a bonding. Thanks.

[fluckiestbunny]

shes hot

[belindita11]

Beautiful! I love the lil girl giggling... :)

[BarryAldridge]

Wonderful. Merry Christmas.

[NCLUSA]

This is just the sweetest thing in the whole World (: A lot of nice people here on youtube 5***** Merry Christmas.

[fjhc75]

¡ Merry Christmas! Carrie