Christmas story in rhyme

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Story Reads: 66,833

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

CHRISTMAS POEMS FOR KIDS BY CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE

Vintage illustrations by Jessie Wilcox Smith 
Header illustration by Giordano Aita.

LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE POEM ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Family

1. What is your home like on the night before Christmas? What traditions does your family have, that you like to do every year?

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The Christmas Story in Rhyme

This poem was first written up as a group participation activity, just a fun way to include everyone’s inner poet.  At the end of the couplet, the audience is given the opportunity to fill in the rhyme.  Suggestions are given, but there’s always room for creativity!

The Christmas Story

Together tonight we’ll tell
A story that’s wondrous to hear
I will say my part
And you can make it clear.

Each part of this story
Will be told in a rhyme
And then I’ll stop and wait for you
So you can finish up the line.

In Nazareth, a long time ago,
Mary was engaged to Joe.

An angel came with a message to tell:
The angel’s name was Gabriel.

The angel told the young girl Mary
That she was to bear a special baby.

“God loves us all and greatly he pleases.”
The messenger said – “Name the child Jesus.”

But when the time had nearly come
Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem.

For the emperor issued a world-wide decree.
“Taxes from all, I demand!” said he.

When they got to the town, to their dismay
They found there was no place to stay.

After searching long, Joseph was finally able
To find shelter with animals in a stable.

And in that place, in lowly birth
He came to us, king of heaven and earth.

Out in the fields, while watching their sheep
Shepherds were nearly falling asleep.

When angels round them began singing just then
“Glory to God, peace on earth to all men.”

“in a manger,” they sang, “the babe may be found
In swaddling clothes he has been bound. ”

“Though this child may appear like any other one
He is our Saviour, Christ the Lord, God’s own Son.”

The shepherds, seized with great curiosity
Hurried to Bethlehem, this child to see.

When they saw him they were amazed
And coming home, God’s name they praised.

In a far Eastern land, three wise men watching nightly
In the dark sky saw a star,  shining so brightly.

Of all the stars, its splendour was best
And it shone brilliantly towards the West.

“It must be a sign, the sky so to adorn
Surely somewhere a king has been born!”

“We must go and see, we must follow the star
We will follow the star, no matter how far.”

The star guided them on and on
Until over the house in Bethlehem it shone.

Then from their camels, they dismounted with joy
They gave their gifts, and worshiped the boy.

Of this child’s life I’ve told only the beginning
Wonders more we could be singing.

Of his life, and his death – how great was his love!
How he was raised and ascended to heaven above.

But for this evening, for now, my friend.
This poem, like all mortal things, must come to an end.

Trudy Prins

Fairy tale in verse: "Christmas of the Beasts"

Characters: Leader, wolf, fox, bear, rooster, mouse and Angel.
(The host comes out, all the actors behind the screen, the song “Christmas” sounds)

Host: It was in January, on the night before Christmas.
Everything shone in the yard, silence all around.
There is not a cloud in the sky, the moon is bright.
And it seemed that each star was visible.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a new star
I have never seen such a beauty
Before Christmas, before Christmas
All fairy tales come true.
And all the animals for Christmas
Bought a sled.
Let them say: "There is no such thing,
But it happens at Christmas."
White snow whirls in the sky
And gradually melts.
We will tell you a Christmas story now.
You sit down comfortably, we begin our story.
Miracles often occur around Christmas
A cunning fox bought a candy for the bear.

And he was not silent in the lair
The whole body began to spin.
(Rough, clumsy music sounds, bear screams)

Bear: “It's Christmas”,

Host : he screamed

Bear: I don't want to oversleep - I wouldn't want to oversleep!

Presenter: He roared with joy:

Bear: The sound of a bear growling
rrrrrr, I haven't eaten candy for a long time.

Host: Let them say: "There is no such thing."
And at Christmas time, a magical light comes from heaven
And the whole earth shines.
And so, all the animals were preparing presents for Christmas:
And boasted to themselves which one was the brightest.

Bear: I really love honey!

Presenter: Bear takes honey from bees!

Bear: Honey is golden, it sparkles in the sun.

Narrator: Then there was a loud cry, it appeared in the dense forest.
(A cockerel appears, light music sounds)

Rooster: Ku-ka-re-ku, where-where! Came here to visit you.
I spent the night in the night forest, I bring you a worm! The worm is excellent, even where, great food for you!

Mouse: (Music, running, barely breathing)
Stocked up with grain for the winter, rushed to visit you for the holiday. I love grains very much, I will give them to you today! (Puts grain)

Wolf: Although I am a terrible gray wolf, I know a lot about gifts.
And today I will give you my big bone!
(Animals exchange gifts, and, perplexed, sit down on a stump, eat gifts)
Music for the fox

Presenter: A fox comes from behind the bushes, he is so proud of his gift:

Fox: It's Christmas today, but I don't see anything. Where are the gifts?

Wolf: We almost ate them.

Mouse: And where are your gifts, I hope the brightest.

Rooster: Today you are the most beautiful of all, jacket with pockets.

Fox: It may make you laugh, but I came to you with a chicken..

Mouse: So fox treat us, chicken would be just right!

Fox: Don't worry little mouse, and your voice is very ringing! They did not have time to look back, as they ate their gifts. I'm not such a fool, I'll eat my own chicken.

Rooster: Oh, and a cunning cheat, deceived all of us cleverly!

Narrator: The animals became too sad, even though the dinner was very tasty.
Looking at the sky, the wolf howled:

Wolf: I forgot to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fox: (Looks up) Oh, look, an Angel of God has flown down here from heaven!
And above him, the long-awaited star shines in the sky!

Angel: ( Music. Flies from the forest)
Hello, my friends! I am very glad to see you.
Here I am not in vain: I flew, hurried to the holiday
We will sing, play, laugh, treat ourselves to pies!
Jesus Christ was born, he brought us salvation!

Mouse: Again, again let's celebrate the Birthday of Christ!
How glad we are to congratulate everyone! Come out here everyone!
(All the animals go to the clearing) are dancing

All: Merry Christmas, good new magic,

Let the frost not be afraid, the Angel is in a hurry to warm.
Let everything succeed in life, and let the sun shine in your soul!
May this bright star never go out!

"Christmas stories, stories and poems"

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