Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve.....

Thought I'd show you some photos of our place. Yes it has snowed, and we're in for a White Christmas.







O Holy Night by Josh Groban



Twas the Night before Christmas Poem

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 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 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 tinny 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, on Donner 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!"

15 comments:

Tracey said...

Lovely! I was going to post that poem tonight!! I bet a lot of people will though.LOL. Have a fantastic Christmas Gill, All the best to you and your family...
With love
Tracey
xxx

Cathi said...

Truly beautiful setting!! Merry Christmas, Gill!

BadPenny said...

beaytiful - I shall have to enjoy your snow as we have had rain then freezing fog for days now.

I love Twas the night before Christmas too

Happy Christmas - have a wonderful time xx

Lindsay said...

Happy Christmas Gill.

Clippy Mat said...

beautiful pics, i bet you are really glad you made the move when you look out the window at THAT scenery.
and i LOVE o holy night so thanks for that too.

have a wonderful christmas.
;-)

Anonymous said...

Gill.. forget my joint.. it's yours that has the appeal this year. Just how far are you from me.. heehee..

Blessed be you in this lovely season as I pray for peace and joy.

~Olivia


"Marshmallow World" Dean Martin ;)

willow and moo said...

Wow, the snow looks so beautiful!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

grendelskin said...

Have I told you lately how beautiful I think your land is? Have a very happy Christmas!

Niki said...

Merry Christmas Gill!!! All the best over the holidays and into the New Year.
Hugs
Niki

MyBulletinBoard said...

You weren't kidding! Ours is blowing and drifting, but I think you actually have more. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Liz, in the the snowy Republic

Anonymous said...

Breathtaking, Gill. Thank you for sharing.

Merry Christmas.
- Deborah

Karine said...

Your place is absolutely gorgeous Gill! The top picture is Christmas card worthy!

As for the poem, it's my mom's favorite Christmas story, she read it to us all the time when we were little!

I hope you have a very merry Christmas, and keep an eye out on my blog, I'm going to try my hardest to get some Christmas pictures of the Oratory on there today or tomorrow!

Jenn Jilks said...

Josh Groban, stud!
Nice post.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Scrappy quilter said...

Gill I'm sending more snow your way. We are in for quite a bit of snow coming from the States and from Western Canada. I just feel generous so I'll share some with you, lol.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Josh Groben is one of my favorite singers. Hugs and love

Stephanie D said...

Beautiful photos! And I love that rendition by Josh Groban!

Hope your day is merry and bright!

{{{SIGH}}}

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