'Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Origin of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas - What American or European child over the age of 5 hasn't heard this opening phrase of a best loved Christmas poem? 'Twas the Night Before Christmas has a rich and interesting history.

We will meet the author and how this whimsical tale has influenced how we view the Christmas holiday more specifically how we view the jolly old elf, Saint Nick. While it isn't dead certain who the author is, Clement C. Moore is given credit for penning this oft quoted poem at Christmas time.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

How many of us knew that before this poem became popular, there was no single image of Santa Claus as we know him. Originally called, "A Visit From St. Nick", we can give credit to this poem for single handedly giving us the image a "jolly old elf" dressed from head to toe in red.

Even the names and quantity of his reindeer as well as how they magically fly all over the world each and every Christmas Eve are attributed to Moore's poem. The idea of giving toys to children, too, was popularized by this fanciful rhyme.

Before that, more practical gifts like clothing and tools were given as well as symbols of disapproval like coal and switches, were distributed on horseback by the local priest. Thank you, Mr. Moore, or whoever wrote 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. You have given us many generations of happy, childhood memories of the Christmas season.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas Book

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The Night Before Christmas: The Heirloom Edition

by: Christian Birmingham, Clement C. Moore

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The Night Before Christmas: A Classic Illustrated Edition

by: Clement C. Moore

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by: Clement Clarke Moore, Jessie Wilcox Smith

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'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Or Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas

by: Anonymus

Release Date: 09/12/2006

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Ke Ahiahi Mamua O Kalikimaka: Twas the Night Before Christmas in Hawaii

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The Words to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night." And so ends the most remembered and loved American Christmastime poem. While children of all ages enjoy the Christmas season, they perhaps don't know we have this poem to thank for our image of a fat man dressed in red who flies in a sleigh drawn by 8 reindeer all over the world on Christmas Eve.

Remember this as we read:

'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 luster 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 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,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Enjoy this family tradition by reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to your children. And while you are at it, remember to put out a glass of milk and some sugarplums for Santa.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - on CD or DVD!

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Christmas Classics: Jingle Bells and Twas the Night Before Christmas

Release Date: 08/29/2006

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Twas the night before christmas

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Frosty's Winter Wonderland/Twas the Night Before Christmas

Release Date: 10/05/2004

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Christmas-opoly Twas the Night Before Christmas Monopoly Board Game

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Twas the Night Before Christmas [VHS]

Release Date: 12/21/1993

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Twas The Night Before Christmas

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Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas

There must always be a spoof or a play on some tradition and 'Twas The Night Before Christmas is no exception. Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas is such a twist. In 1993, Disney produced this slightly off animated film which, oddly enough, was well received and has gone on to have a rather cultish following.

You may find that how it was produced is more intriguing than the plot of the film, but that is for you to decide. What is significant about this film is that is was the longest "stop action" type animation project of it kind.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas:
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Ultimate Collector's DVD Set + Digital Copy

It could take an entire week to film just one minute due to the painstaking moving arms, legs and facial expressions tiny increments at a time. Overall, it took the film crew 3 years to put together.

The story's main character, Jack, is the leader of Halloween Town, a holiday themed town. Unable to raise his own spirits due to boredom, Jack stumbles into Christmas town, where he meets characters associated with Christmas.

Wanting to revive his own town, he plans to take back Santa Claus and bring in the spirit of Christmas. What ensues is a rather gray and morbid version of the normally festive winter holiday twisted up with spooky Halloween characters.

There really is no similarity in Nightmare Before Christmas to the Clement C Moore poem, but just a play on the title. Still it seems to be becoming an odd tradition among young people around Christmas time. It just won't be the "visions of sugarplums" children's story.