Twas The Night Before Christmas Poem

One of the most searched for items on this fine Christmas Eve is the poem that warms the hearts of so many, both young and old.

Twas The Night Before Christmas is a poem that is surrounded with mystery and theory.

ccording to MentalFloss.com, when the poem first appeared in the newspaper on December 23, 1823, there was no name attached to it. It wasn’t until 13 years later that Clement Clarke Moore, a professor and poet, stepped forward to claim authorship and said that his housekeeper had, without his knowledge, sent the piece he wrote for his kids to the newspaper. In 1844, the poem was officially included in an anthology of Moore’s work. The problem? The family of Henry Livingston, Jr., claimed their father had been reciting “A Visit From St. Nicholas” to them for 15 years before it was published. Here’s the view from both sides.

Full text of Twas The Night Before Christmas

‘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 head, 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.”

Readmore »» “Twas The Night Before Christmas Poem – Full Text”  »»

Top 10 Christmas Flicks - Christmas might come but once a year, but thankfully, Christmas movies are available year-round. It seems like everyone has a list, so here’s my top ten favorite Christmas movies:

1. A Christmas Story – The classic 1983 tale of Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his quest to obtain a Red Rider BB Gun is the best depiction Christmas on film. Ever. Everyone sees a little bit of themselves in Ralphie and his quest for the ultimate Christmas gift, and everyone can see a little bit of their father in The Old Man (Darren McGavin) and their mother in Mother (Melinda Dillon). We all have our own “Red Rider BB Gun” from our childhood, and this film stirs our memories of the time when we were kids and finally got what we really wanted.

There are countless other excellent Christmas films that I’m sure were missed. What are your favorite films and why? Share them here and spread the Christmas spirit.

2. Elf – When Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) sets off to New York to find his real father (James Caan), he discovers the real world is nothing like the magical world of the North Pole where he grew up. However, despite the curmudgeonly world he’s found, he vows to spread Christmas joy and spirit no matter what. Will Ferrell’s memorable performance as a grown man with a childlike mentality forces us to remember that no matter how old we get, the Christmas spirit can live on in us forever.

3. It’s a Wonderful Life – Frank Capra’s classic tale of banker George Bailey (James Stewart) who decides to end his life amidst a myriad of problems in his life. When his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), intervenes, he shows him what life would be like if he had never been born, forcing George to rethink his decision. James Stewart’s uplifting performance spreads the Christmas cheer and reminds us all to appreciate all the people whose lives we’ve touched and whose lives have touched us.

4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – The third movie to follow the Griswold clan is by far the funniest as Clark W. Griswold (Chevy Chase) attempts to create the ultimate Christmas experience for his family and relatives. In true Griswold fashion, everything is a disaster, making for a side-splitting movie experience. Another film from comedic master John Hughes, this film is sure to become a favorite for everyone.

5. Scrooged – Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” has been adapted numerous times for theatre, film, and television. This version, however, offers a unique spin on the tale set in modern times following a modern day Scrooge in Frank Cross (Bill Murray), a television programming executive who experiences the Dickensian story. Bill Murray’s trademark comedy is in full force and his sardonic wit makes for a truly memorable and comedic performance.

6. Home Alone – All kids dream about being home alone to have run of the place. Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is about to live that dream when his family hastily leaves for France and forgets to bring him with them. Kevin naturally does all the things any kid would do if they were left alone, but soon realizes his home is the target of two bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern). Written by the incomparable John Hughes, and directed by Chris Columbus, this movie captures all the fun and excitement of the Christmas season, with a memorable film score composed by John Williams.

7. Love Actually – Leave it to the British to create a charming classic story of finding love during Christmas time. This wonderfully acted film features an ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Keira Knightley amongst an all-star cast. Director Richard Curtis brilliantly weaves together ten stories to make this film standout as not only a great Christmas film, but one of the great romantic comedies of all time.

8. Die Hard – Another action film makes the list, but this one is most definitely a Christmas film. John McClane (Bruce Willis), a New York cop, heads to Los Angeles to reunite with his wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), hoping to rekindle their relationship. However, villain Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) has different plans, holding Holly’s company hostage. The Christmas music is an excellent contrast to all the action that permeates throughout the film. It’s truly a Christmas film about family, redemption, and being selfless for others. Features the best use of packaging tape in a movie—ever.

9. Batman Returns – This film rarely comes to mind when people think of Christmas films, but Tim Burton’s second effort in the Batman films features the Dark Knight (Michael Keaton) taking on the Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) during the Christmas season. I love Christmas and I love Batman, so mixing them together makes for a fantastic combination. Gotham City blanketed in snow is a sight to see.

10. Miracle on 34th Street – The original 1947 version of this movie still warms my heart to this day. A little girl (Natalie Wood) is being raised by her mother (Maureen O’Hara) not to believe in Santa Claus. When a man claiming to be Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) takes a job as a Macy’s department store Santa, the little girl starts to believe Santa just might be real after all. When Kris is declared legally insane, he’s put on trial to determine whether or not he really is Santa Claus. This movie will make you believe and fill your heart with Christmas spirit.

Readmore »» “Top 10 Christmas Flicks”  »»

Funny Christmas Quotes from Christmas Movies

- Need some Christmas cheer? Enjoy these funny Christmas quotes from Christmas movies:

The Santa Clause: “Charlie, stay away from those things. They’re reindeer, you don’t know where they’ve been. They all look like they’ve got key lime disease.”

Fred Claus: “I’m from the South side of the North Pole, man.”

Four Christmases: “We just gotta get through these Four Christmases as quickly and painlessly as possible.”

Home Alone: “This house is so full of people it makes me sick. When I grow up and get married, I’m living alone!”

Elf: “We elves try to stick to the four major food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.”

A Christmas Story: “Aunt Clara had for years labored under the delusion that I was not only perpetually four years old, but also a girl.”

A Charlie Brown Christmas: “Rats. No one sent me a Christmas card today. I almost wish there weren’t a holiday season. I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?”

Readmore »» “Funny Christmas Quotes from Christmas Movies”  »»

NORAD's Santa Tracker will start to track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, providing children from all over the world the latest position, images, and videos of the journey of Santa and the presents he is bringing.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has employed all its hi-tech equipment to follow Father Christmas as he, and his reindeer, travel the globe delivering presents.

Children can track Father Christmas through social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and TroopTube.

His progress can also be tracked with three dimensional "Father Christmas Cams". This year, NORAD will track Santa with radar, satellites, Santa Cams, and even fighter jets.

In addition to following Santa through Santa Cams, the website allows children to track Santa’s flight in Google Earth. NORAD, the joint U.S. and Canadian military center in charge of monitoring and defending North American air space, and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), have been tracking Santa’s flight for more than half a century. According to NORAD, Father Christmas usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west.

Norad Santa Tracker coordinates with Santa’s Elf launch staff to confirm his launch time, but from that point on, Father Christmas calls the shots. "NORAD tracks Father Christmas, but only Father Christmas knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house," he said.

If children are still awake when Father Christmas arrives, he moves on to other houses. The head of the CONAD, which later became NORAD, instructed his staff to give the children updates on Santa's position and the tradition was born.

EADS' Sector Operations Control Center (SOCC) will monitor Father Christmas constantly as he delivers toys and gifts.

Readmore »» “Norad Santa Tracker 2010”  »»