An Xmas Treat: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

0:00This is a special drop. The dream of little treats for the listeners at Christmastime, part of the road to Christmas, creating atmosphere and joy. I thought we could do a reading, a cozy reading for the listener. Okay. Oh, I didn't know this was what it's called. A visit from St. Nicholas. Had no idea.

0:24T 'was 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. No, I was going to do that. Okay, I didn't know when to stop. 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 sugarplums danced 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 my bed to see what was the matter.

1:01Away 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 a luster of midday to objects below. God, this is good. Incredible poetry. This isn't phenomenal. This is better than I remember. This is crazy. Imagine writing this. When what to my wondering eyes did appear, a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. I actually feel the magic. It's crazy. I do, too. With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he must be Saint Nick. More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came And he whistled and shouted and called them by name Now Dasher, now Dancer Now Dasher, now Dancer Dancer?

1:41There's a reindeer called Dancer? Of course there is, Prancers and Dancers That's so cute That's so cute Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen O 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 leaves that before the wild hurricane fly when they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky. So up to the housetop the coursers they flew with a 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. So cute. As I drew in my head and was turning around down the chimney St.

2:21Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed in all 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 on his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth and the smoke had encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

2:55He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself. Could cry. 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. Wow. Absolutely magical.

3:37I'm blown away. Every year we're doing a reading of this. I agree. Stunning. Have a great night. Merry Christmas. Love you. Love you.