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b'Hi and welcome back to day 12 of my 12 Day Of Christmas series. Thank you so much for listening to this series and I hope you enjoy the reading of one of my favorite Christmas stories. I want you all to a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your day to the fullest, as you remember the reason for the season.\\nOne of the oldest and most popular Christmas poems ever, commonly referred to as \\u201cTwas The Night Before Christmas,\\u201d was written in the early 19th century. Though its author is disputed, with the poem being attributed to both Clement Clarke Moore and Henry Livingston Jr. over the years, it was definitely first published on Dec. 23, 1823 in the Troy Sentinel newspaper in upstate New York. It is also referred to as \\u201cA Visit From St. Nicholas\\u201d or \\u201cThe Night Before Christmas.\\u201d\\nHere are the original lyrics to the poem:\\n\\u2018Twas the night before Christmas, when all threw\\u2019 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.\\nThe children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And Mama in her \\u2018kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter\\u2019s nap.\\nWhen 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.\\nThe moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below; When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer.\\nWith 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: \\u201cNow! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, \\u201cOn! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Donder and Blixen; \\u201cTo the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! \\u201cNow dash away! dash away! dash away all!\\u201d\\nAs dry leaves 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:\\nAnd then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. \\xa0As 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 tarnish\\u2019d with ashes and soot;\\nA bundle of toys was 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;\\nThe 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 bowl full of jelly:\\nHe 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.\\nHe 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.\\nHe sprung 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.\\n\\n\\n\\n--- \\n\\nSend in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle4466/message\\nSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle4466/support'