It was the night before Christmas and the house was very quiet.
The stockings were hung above the chimney carefully in anticipation of Santa's coming.The children were asleep in their beds and were dreaming of sugared plums and other tasty treats.
My wife was in her nightgown and I was in my pajamas
And we had just gotten into the warm bed on this cold winter night



Suddenly in the front yard I heard a very loud sound
I jumped out of the bed to investigate the noise
I moved aside the curtains and looked out of the window
The moonlight shined so brightly on the fresh snow that it almost looked like daytime
I was so surprised when I saw a small sleigh being pulled by eight tiny reindeer
And there was a man in the sleigh who moved very quickly
I knew immediately that he was no one other than Santa Claus
The reindeer moved so fast – like eagles
As Santa whistled, and shouted and called each one of the reindeer by their name
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
Up on the porch! And over the wall!
Now, let's go! Go! GO!"




They flew so quickly that they looked almost like leaves being tossed about by a strong wind
And in this matter they flew from rooftop to rooftop with Santa driving the sleigh
Suddenly I heard the sounds of reindeer moving around on my rooftop
I turned away from the window and as I did so I saw Santa Claus come down the chimney




He was wearing clothing made of fur which was covered with ashes
He was carrying a big bag of toys
And he almost looked like a street vendor preparing his wares as he opened his bag of toys
His eyes were sparkling and the dimples of his smile were so joyful
His cheeks and nose were both very red
His smiling mouth was so cute it made me giggle
And his beard was very white – like snow
He had a pipe in his mouth and the smoke from it circled his head
He had a wide face and a round stomach
Every time he laughed his stomach would shake and wiggle




He was a fat and very happy elf
And when I saw him I couldn’t help but laugh a little
He turned his head and gave me a wink to let me know that I had nothing to fear
He didn’t say anything but started to work busily filling the stockings
Suddenly he turned and put his finger on the side of his nose
And when he nodded he rose up the chimney
He jumped onto his sleigh and whistled to the reindeers
And then he flew away like a feather in the wind
As he was flying away I heard him say,
“Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”