From Our House to Yours: Happy Holiday Tidings
Dec 25th 2009
Julia LondonGoddess Grins & Julia London
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Ten Leaping Goddesses to all of you. We love you, we appreciate you, and we thank you so much for your support. We couldn’t do this work without you and you have enriched our work and our day to day grind more than you will ever know. Wherever you are, whatever you are planning on this day, we wish you the best and look forward to hearing all about it soon.
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.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I 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 my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
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, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, 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, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And 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!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The 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 I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And 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-night!”
(Clement Clark Moore, 1779-1863)
21 Comments »
21 Responses to “From Our House to Yours: Happy Holiday Tidings”
Tina on 25 Dec 2009 at 1:20 am #
Merry Christmas to all of the Goddesses and Readers.
B on 25 Dec 2009 at 1:36 am #
Merry Christmas to everyone!
I love the picture! And the poem is stinkin’ cute!
Suzanne Enoch on 25 Dec 2009 at 2:44 am #
I look so graceful!
Merry Christmas to all! (And to all a good night — it’s nearly 1 am here, and I have to be at the nephews’ house by 8 am.)
Jamie-Lynn on 25 Dec 2009 at 2:53 am #
Merry Christmas
Trini on 25 Dec 2009 at 3:15 am #
MERRY CHRISTMAS. FELIZ NAVIDAD. BÓ NADAL.
My dear Goddess I’m really thankful for your stories, for the wonderful moments I spend reading your books and bloging here. You always make my day.
By the way, I love the pic, all you look very cool!!!!
Have a nice day!!!
evlqn on 25 Dec 2009 at 4:57 am #
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed yule to all of us. This has really been a year for us and I am so grateful for all the goddesses, you have been such a great rock for me, thanks.
Julia I love your leaping lords! The winter outfits are pretty nifty too.
Gillian on 25 Dec 2009 at 6:40 am #
Merry Christmas!
Freedom Writer on 25 Dec 2009 at 6:46 am #
Merry Christmas everyone!
Kathy on 25 Dec 2009 at 7:42 am #
sigh… Debbie and I woke up at 6:30 and she fell into the tree and presents trying to reach for a card for me- too funny!
we are waiting for Amy and her boyfriend to wake up so we can open presents. I remember when Amy used to wake up and 5 and get US up!lol
Merry Christmas everyone! don’t fall into the tree!
MizMacgyver on 25 Dec 2009 at 8:07 am #
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Goddesses and handmaidens…….
Freshechelle on 25 Dec 2009 at 8:59 am #
Merry Christmas everyone!
Judy F on 25 Dec 2009 at 9:09 am #
Merry Christmas everyone. Hope today and everyday is a special one.
LoriHandeland on 25 Dec 2009 at 9:11 am #
Merry Christmas, Everyone!!
Nice job with the Photoshop. Love it.
Kim on 25 Dec 2009 at 9:46 am #
Mery Christmas!!
KariE on 25 Dec 2009 at 10:08 am #
Merry Christmas!!
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Dec 2009 at 10:09 am #
Merry Christmas, everybody! And Julia, that is the cutest pic!!! Never stop photo-shopping. We love it!
And we here on Mt. Oly love all of you, too. Thanks for making our days so special!
Madeline Hunter on 25 Dec 2009 at 11:22 am #
Merry Christmas! Just dropping in to thank everyone for a great year on the Goddess Blogs. and to wish all a good day!
ladydawgfan on 25 Dec 2009 at 2:49 pm #
A Merry Christmas to everyone and a Happy New Year!! I hope Santa was extra nice to you this year!!
Karen Rose on 25 Dec 2009 at 4:56 pm #
Merry Christmas to all! I have earned my roast beast today – ham and turkey. I have relatives coming in from NM later and I have been cleaning like a dervish all day. Am off to the airport to fetch them, then back for a lovely Christmas dinner!
pjpuppymom on 25 Dec 2009 at 9:01 pm #
Merry Christmas, Goddesses! I hope all of you have had a wonderful day!
LauraR on 25 Dec 2009 at 9:44 pm #
Merry Christmas!