Twas the Night before Christmas: A Visit from St. Nicholas

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

17135

Title

Twas the Night before Christmas: A Visit from St. Nicholas

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Originally written as a Christmas gift for his own children, Clement Clarke Moore's beloved poem recounts the magical arrival of St. Nicholas on Christmas Eve. This edition features Jessie Willcox Smith's charming illustrations, bringing the classic tale of the jolly elf and his reindeer to life for new generations of readers.

Summary up to 500 words

Clement Clarke Moore's 'A Visit from St. Nicholas,' affectionately known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas,' transports readers to a quiet Christmas Eve in a New York City home, distinct from other celebrations of the season. The narrative begins with the household settled for the night; children are nestled snugly in their beds, dreaming of sugar-plums, while their parents prepare for a long winter's nap. Suddenly, a mysterious clatter on the lawn awakens the narrator, who rushes to the window to investigate. The moonlight illuminates the fresh snow, revealing a spectacular sight: a miniature sleigh drawn by eight tiny reindeer descending from the sky. The driver is none other than St. Nicholas himself, dressed in fur and covered in soot, carrying a bundle of toys. With a lively whistle, he urges his team—Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen—to race up the chimney. The narrator watches in awe as the elf fills stockings with gifts, his twinkling eyes and merry demeanor instantly dispelling any fear. Moore vividly describes St. Nicholas's appearance: his cheeks like roses, his nose like a cherry, and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. Holding a pipe in his teeth, the jolly old elf speaks not a word but goes straight to work. After a brief, joyful visit, St. Nicholas departs swiftly, leaving behind a message of universal goodwill. The poem concludes with his final exclamation, 'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night,' cementing the story as a timeless celebration of holiday spirit, generosity, and the magic of Christmas Eve.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17135.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg17135.epub

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Categories

• Poetry
• Children's Literature
• Christmas