(A Visit from St. Nicholas)
by Clement C. Moore.
‘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 down 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 sleight, 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 hand, 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 GOODNIGHT".
SOME POWERFUL THOUGHTS FOR
THE START OF A NEW YEAR
Miracles
Believe in you heart that something
wonderful is about to happen.
Love your life.
Believe in your powers, and your potential,
And in your own goodness.
Wake every morning with the awe of just being alive.
Discover in each day the magnificent, awesome beauty of the world.
Explore and embrace life in yourself
and in everyone you see each day.
Reach within to find your own special being.
Amaze yourself and arouse those around you
to the potential of the new day.
Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect.
Let those who love you help.
Trust enough to be able to take.
Look with hope to the horizon of each new day,
For today is all we truly have.
Live this day like it were your last.
Let a little sun out as well as in.
Create your own rainbows.
Be open to all possibilities.
Always Believe in Miracles.
New Beginning
Each day is a new beginning,
Call it a clean slate,
A fresh start,
or simply a new dawn.
A world of possibilities waits for you
holding its breath
until you tiptoe out
and stamp your footprint in the dew.
You can be
whoever
whatever
however
you want to be.
It's all up to you
You don't have to be held back
by old thoughts
former mistakes,
or past problems.
They're just that - passed.
Don't let them strangle you anymore.
You've already given them their due,
now let go of the chains of your past
and grab onto your future.
It starts right now.
This is your life.
Today
Start over, fresh, new, clean.
Just you
and whatever you want to be.
Stand on your own feet.
Take a tentative step.
See? You can do it.
Now the other foot,
and another step,
and soon you'll be
racing the wind
chasing your dreams
A new world is waiting for you
TODAY
Contact
Pat or Mary