Twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas is a narrative poem traditionally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, first published anonymously in 1823 as “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” It helped establish a defining modern Santa image.

On Christmas Eve, a household has fallen asleep when the narrator hears a disturbance outside. A miniature sleigh, eight reindeer, and a lively driver descend upon the roof, bringing domestic wonder in rapid verse into an otherwise quiet home.

St. Nicholas enters through the chimney, fills the children's stockings, and departs with a blessing. His fur clothes, round belly, pipe, laughter, and named team make him a miniature gift-giver whose physical details can be pictured as readily as recited.

Rhyming couplets and a strong anapestic pulse carry the action with the speed of the sleigh. Repetition and sound join oral rhythm with visual tradition, explaining why the poem has remained adaptable to performance and illustration.

"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;"

This download follows the 1912 Houghton Mifflin edition illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith and includes its historical introduction.