'Twas the Night Before Christmas
 

Camille (by Carole Stimac):  I'm all alone on Christmas Eve.
 

(sigh)
 

Camille hears the muffled sounds of pittering-pattering little feet approaching.
 

Baby Amanda:  Is it story time yet?  We can't skip tonight of all nights.  It's Christmas Eve.
Baby Bill:   Ooh!  I wonder if there will be angels?
 

Camille:  Could be, Baby Bill.  Only time will tell.  Hop up and let's get started.
 

Baby Bill:  I sure hope so.  I love angels.
 

Baby Amanda:  Well, I've selected 3 books for us to read to Camille tonight.
 

Baby Bill:  Let's begin with Clement C. Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Because it is!
Baby Amanda:  Great first choice, Baby Bill.  Let's begin. . .
 
 

A Visit from St. Nicholas
by: Clement C. Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Doll Land
Not a creature was stirring, not even a lamb.

Our "stockings" were set by the tree like last year
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be here.
 

The big girls were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of diamonds danced in their heads;
 

And Camille in her 'kerchief, and us in our caps.
Had just settled in for great fun with no naps.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
We sat on the bed and wondered what was the matter.
 

Our tree was decorated with candy from our secret stash
Because after shopping we were quite low on cash.
 

The moon shone on the Plate o' Goodies we stole.
To help ensure that this year there would be NO coal.
 

When, what to our  wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and one red-nosed reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

Less rapid than eagles but still on he came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called us by name;
"Now, Camille! Hello Baby Bill and Amanda!
I haven't forgotten.  You're first on my agenda.
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
I'm coming, I'm coming, with presents for 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 flew Rudolph -- who knew!

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 brand new with no ashes or 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;
He carried no pipe but we saw his white teeth,

For smoke in Doll Land -- It's forbidden, good grief!
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 and had with him an elf,

Well, actually two -- I saw them 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."
 

Join us in Doll Land in a bit for our next story. . .

(Please click on the green arrow to go to the next story)