The Night Before Christmas
/ðə ˌnaɪt bɪˌfɔː ˈkrɪsməs/
/ðə ˌnaɪt bɪˌfɔːr ˈkrɪsməs/
- a poem (1823) by Clement Moore (1779-1863) which is well known to many American children. It presents the traditional image of Santa Claus as a cheerful fat man who travels through the sky at Christmas bringing gifts. It begins: “T'was the night before Christmas,When all through the houseNot 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.”