‘Twas the blogger’s night before Christmas
[NOTE: This small poetic effort of mine has become somewhat of a holiday tradition at the blog. So here it comes again—just like the holiday itself.]
‘TWAS THE BLOGGER’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ‘sphere
Bloggers were glad to see Christmas draw near.
Their laptops were turned off and all put away
The bloggers were swearing to take off the day.
Their children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of extra time danced in their heads
With a father or mom not distracted by writing
No posts to compose, and no links to be citing.
But we all know that vows were just meant to be broken
And the vows of a blogger can be a mere token.
There’s always a chance that some sort of temptation
Will rise up to make them of fleeting duration.
For instance, there might be found under the tree
A sleek Mac; well, what better sight could there be?
And who could neglect it and wait the whole day?
It cries to be tried out, one just can’t delay.
Or maybe somewhere there’s a fast-breaking story
Important, and possibly leading to glory.
It can’t be ignored, there’s really no choice,
So add to the din every blogger’s small voice.
And then there are some who may just like to rhyme
(I’m one who at times must confess to this crime),
And it’s been quite a while since Clement Clarke Moore
Wrote his opus (though authorship’s been claimed by Gore).
So it seems about time it was newly updated
And here’s my attempt – aren’t you glad you all waited?
Forgive if it sounds a bit awkward to read.
In writing, I set a new record for speed.
I had to get under the wire and compose it
Before Christmas Day. Now it’s time that I close it.
But let me exclaim (or, rather, I’ll write)
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!
Here’s a video of the original, with some 50s-type nostalgia for those who remember. There are a few odd anomalies (“safe in their beds” instead of “snug in their beds”). But it brought back memories of pincurls, and the days when parents were assumed to sleep in twin beds (even though I don’t recall that most people did).
I’m pretty sure I had the book on which this is based. The illustrations look very familiar:
It is long past time for “Santa Claus” to get to bed, but I wasn’t tired tonight — which is unusual in the Christmas season, but everything has been done by now, and I wanted to catch up on all the conversations at Neo’s Place that I missed from being away from home and then trying to fulfill all the engagements and necessities of the holiday.
The Night Before Christmas is a special, spiritual time for parents, after the stockings are filled and the last of the presents laid under the tree.
This was always, and still is, my favorite time of the year, waiting in the quiet hours alone, contemplating the birth of the Christ Child, who came with gifts that no mythical Santa Claus could bestow: His life of purity, His example of charity, His understanding of our mortal frailties, His compassion for our needs, and His atonement for our sins.
Without the birth of the Christ, there would have been no death and no resurrection of the Redeemer; no salvation from our own mortality; and no reunion with our Heavenly Father and our eternal families.
Joy to the World is not just a Christmas hymn: it leads directly to Christ the Lord is Risen Today.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!