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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Not A Creature Was Stirring

...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, as he drove out of sight -
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.


Whether it was written by Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston, Jr. “Twas The Night Before Christmas” has a special place in my heart. Less as a poem and more as the beautiful musical arrangement by Harry Simeone and sung by his Chorale. I can still see my Dad standing in our living room in Warwick, Rhode Island. The room was illuminated by electric candles in the four windows, wax tapers on the mantlepiece, the crackling wood fire below, the twinkling lights on the Christmas Tree and the single golden bulb inside the manger. Dad would be singing along with the album, as it was spinning on the stereo. All was calm, bright, safe and right with world.

May we all know such peace and joy again...

Merry Christmas!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen!

Merry Christmas

Gail

Ms Brown Mouse said...

Yes, indeed. Merry, merry.

Irene said...

A beautiful memory. :)

I hope your Christmas was wonderful.

Sue said...

OK, so finally sitting down to read back on your blog. So behind...

I also love this story. My mom always used to read it to us as kids. I bought a copy of it for Jake the Christmas I was pregnant with him. I had no idea at the time who the little being was in my tummy. The book has a tie on the side to keep it closed and I signed with love from "Daddy and Mommy" and I'm sure it will always be special to him too.

Sue X

PS. We got your card, thank you so much! I must be better organised for next year...