THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

It was the night before Christmas.

Baby hung up her stocking.

She hung it by the big fire-place.

Tom hung his there, too.

“Come, Baby,” said Tom.

“We must go to bed.

You know who comes to-night.”

Then they crept quietly away to bed.

They lay so still, listening, listening.

But not a sound could be heard.

What did they think they would hear?

Soon their tired little eyes were closing.

They were fast asleep.

Outside it was cold, so cold.

Ice was all around.

Wind was blowing; snow was flying.

Cold clouds hid the blue sky.

Yet over all moon and stars were shining brightly.

At last the moon peeped out.

She peeped through the cold clouds.

She looked far down at the cold world.

Her rays fell upon a beautiful sight.

There was dear old Santa Claus with sleigh and reindeer.

They were flying from house to house.

They were rushing over ice and snow.

Down the chimneys Santa went.

In one house he found two stockings.

They hung side by side.

They hung by the fire-place.

We know who hung them there.

Santa filled them full as they could hold.

He filled them up to the very top.

“Good!” said Santa, “good!

How glad Tom and Baby will be!

They have just what they want!”

Back up the chimney Santa went.

Into his big sleigh he jumped.

“Get up, get up, reindeer!”

Then away and away they flew!

So they kept on leaving their good things all the night through.