"Twas the Night Before Christmas" was penned by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822, and of course the true title of the poem is "A Visit from St. Nicholas". It was published, for the first time, a year later and lots of things changed. Up until this time St. Nicholas was the patron saint of children and was in no way associated with being a 'plump, a right jolly old elf', being a pipe smoker, having a sleigh or even reindeer. With four little ones nestled around her, Mom read the tale to us each evening of the 24th. After the poem, carols with Mom at the piano and some fresh homemade eggnog, it was up the stairs and off to bed. Santa never came till all good little boys and girls are fast asleep, she told us. Like all good traditions, the poem will be read tonight in our home, along with "The Polar Express" and maybe a few pages of A Christmas Carol.
"The stockings were hung..."
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
Merry Christmas Birdman!
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ReplyDeleteGod Jul.
ReplyDeleteUN JOYEUX NOEL
ReplyDeleteMay your holiday be joyous!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tradition! Have a Very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteNice tradition. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteenjoy that tradition. very nice. merry christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's good to get all hung up on old traditions!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours!
You are in your very own picture book, Mr. Birdman! I also love A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. I memorized the first few pages for a speech class in high school...Happy Holidays to you all, Rita
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Birdman!
ReplyDeleteI love the Polar Express! Happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWow, Birdman. Your Christmas Eve seems to come right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Fine traditions.
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteAnd not too many eggnog's and sleep tight!
ReplyDeleteHurray to the old traditions!!
Merry Christmas!!!
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Thanks for sharing your memory of tales read aloud!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Birdman.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a happy Christmas Day wherever you are. And beware of excesses, whether for food or drink.
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