One of the sweetest parts of Christmas is slowing down and enjoying time listening to old classics.
So welcome to this childhood favorite that is sure to kindle your holiday spirit.
My name is Lisa Watley and it's a pleasure being the voice that brings a smile to your heart as you listen to this old-time classic called 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 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 the bed to see what was the matter.
Away did the window I flew like a flash I tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below.
When what do 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 that 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.
So up to the housetop 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 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.
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 that 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 as he drove out of sight,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
