‘Twas the night before Christmas is by far – one of the most famous holiday stories ever written.
It happens to be one of my favorites.
As a child my sister would read this holiday classic to me on Christmas Eve once my parents suggested I hurry and go to bed. I went to bed willingly because I never wanted to bump into Santa Claus and risk not getting everything on my Christmas list.
She would read with such animation, it was magical. As an adult, I try to imitate her, and use the Boys as my audience.
This is the version I will share with Harley and Jaxson on Saturday night…
‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS –
and Mom’s boiling noodles. Not a creature was stirring, not even this active Doodle;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Santa Paws soon would be there;
Both Harley and Jaxson were nestled all snug, just not in their beds,
While visions of tasty treats danced in their heads,
In her chair, Doodle Mom sat with a glass of wine…
and Doodle Dad in his cap – had just settled down for an evening with Apple TV before a good nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
The Boys sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.
Away to the window we 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 our wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, led by a group of Doodledeer…
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, HARLEY 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, we heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As Harley drew in his paw, and was settling down,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound…
HE WAS DRESSED IN ALL FUR –
From his head to his foot,
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!
Those cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
And his droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
The beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
That 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 Jax laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself…
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Filled all of those stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
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 DOODLE NIGHT!…
May the spirit of Christmas bring you PEACE – The gladness of Christmas give you HOPE – And the warmth of Christmas grant you LOVE ❤️
December 22, 2017
Have a winderful Christmas! Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for all things doodle and their adventures. Your kinda whacky ;o)
January 8, 2018
HA! I can work with Wacky 🙂 Happy New Year to you!
December 22, 2017
I truly enjoyed reading your version of The Night Before Christmas. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
December 22, 2017
Have a Doodleful Christmas and a Furry New Year!
December 22, 2017
Oh, Cathy, this version is great!! And the pix, too! I love how you and Jen each did your own versions without knowing about the other!
Merry Christmas to ALL of You from ALL of Us!! ❄️☃️
January 7, 2018
It was too funny when I read Jen’s version. I guess pet parents do think alike!
December 22, 2017
That was a very charming story! Hope Santa is good to you boys this year!
December 23, 2017
Love your Doodle version of this classic. Thank you for always bringing a smile to my face when reading your blogs. So grateful that I found your blog during a difficult time for me. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
December 23, 2017
That was the most precious ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas I’ve ever heard. Merry Christmas to The Doodles and Cathy and Lee, too
January 7, 2018
Awhhhh, thanks so much Lorraine! Happy New Year to you and yours.
December 23, 2017
That was So Sweet Cathy. Harley & Jackson look Marvelous posed with The Big Guy. Merry Christmas to All of You.
January 7, 2018
Hi Claudette – how’s everything going? Happy New Year to you – trumpet man, and the Doodle! May god continue to bless you -the Boys and I love having you in our lives!
December 24, 2017
Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing your version, it was perfect!
December 25, 2017
I absolutely love your version, and we hope you are having a wonderful Christmas. Merry Christmas to your family from our whole crew!