Santa Ed Taylor of the Worldwide Santa Claus Network modernized the classic ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas — telling the story from Santa’s perspective. It makes the language easier for children to understand plus Santa has given up smoking a pipe!

A Visit from St. Nicholas

by Clement Clark Moore

Modernized & told from Santa’s perspective by Ed Taylor 11-1-2020

 

‘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 I soon would be there.

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While dreams of good things danced in their heads. 

Mama in her nightgown, and Dad ready for bed,

He had just pulled back the covers and laid down his head.

 

When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter,

Dad sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window he flew like a flash,

He opened the curtains and threw up the sash.

 

Now, the moon was glistening on that new-fallen snow.

It gave the luster of midday to objects below.

When what to his wandering eyes should appear?

A big red sleigh and nine flying reindeer.

 

When he saw the jolly old driver, dad took a pause,

He knew in a moment it was me, Santa Claus.

More rapid than eagles my reindeer they came,

And I whistled and shouted and called them by name!

 

“Now, Rudolph! Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Now, Dash away! Dash Away! Dash away all!”

 

Just as dry leaves that before a wild hurricane will fly,

When my reindeer meet an obstacle, they mount to the sky.

So up to the housetop my reindeer they flew,

With a sleigh full of toys, and yes, me too.

 

And then, in a twinkling, Dad heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As he drew in his head and was turning around,

Down the chimney I came with a bound.

 

I was dressed all in fur, from my head to my foot,

And my clothes were a bit tarnished with ashes and soot.

A sack full of toys I had flung on my back,

And I looked like a traveler, just opening my pack.

 

He saw my eyes twinkle, and my dimples how merry!

My cheeks were like roses, my nose like a cherry!

My funny little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on my chin was as white as the snow.

 

A candy cane I held tight with my teeth,

And I had more in a pouch I had underneath.

He saw my face and my big ‘ol round belly,

And it shook while I Iaughed like a bowl full of jelly!

 

Dad saw that I knew just what to do,

And he laughed, though he didn’t intend to.

A wink of my eye and a twist of my head,

Soon let Dad know that he had nothing to dread.

 

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work.

I filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk.

Then by laying a finger aside my nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney I rose!

 

I hopped into my sleigh, to my team gave a whistle,

And away we all flew like the down of a thistle.

 

And then I said as we flew out of sight,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”