A Christmas Eve Story

Jess writes:

This post is my very small, very far-away gift to my family, and particularly my dad – whose voice I will be thinking of on this Christmas Eve night.

[Materials needed: one very specific reasonably old copy of “The Night Before Christmas”, one blazing fire in the living room, an assortment of dogs and cats, one comfy couch, one mom across the room (camera optional), two sisters, and one dad to read the story. Okay, begin, but don’t forget all the important comments and side notes... that is, if I've remembered their order even somewhat correctly.]

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.

[Make sure to point out the cute mouse and, of course, the black cat that we are pretty sure is suppose to be in every picture.]

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

[I never really knew what sugar plums were, but I love all the candy!]

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.

[Remind me again why anyone would where a 'kerchief to bed? Oh, and by the way, I'll be thinking about how this looks really, really cold with the window open, and how I wouldn't mind a bit of that chill here.]

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.

[Isn’t this the one where the cat isn’t in the picture? Where is that cat?]

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name...

[Now we try to do this part together, without cheating/reading too much…]

"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!"

[Okay, a couple mess-ups, but pretty good!]

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

[Why is that section written so difficultly?]

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.

[Oh! Hello Santa!!!]

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.

[Okay, now this is the page with all the pictures, so we have to read slowly.]

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.

[Why is the turkey on fire? Seriously, why?!?]

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.

[This next part always makes me smile, I don’t know why...]

And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

[...I think it might be because of how much I like that smirk and wink.]

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…

[And of course, everyone here...]

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

Happy Christmas Eve family! I love you all, and miss you all very much! Now go to bed Nannan, so that mom can force dad to stay up and finish all the wrapping and stocking-stuffing with her!! G’night family. And g’night everyone!!