‘Twas the night before Christmas. The darkness lay still
As the snowflakes that mantled the front window-sill.
The children were sleeping, worn out from a day
Of Christmas-Eve frolics and family play,
From snow-angel making and snowman-construction,
Snow-fortress preparing and snowball production.
My wife slept as soundly, worn out by her role
Of chief brownie-maker and damage control.
So I sat in rapt silence, enjoying the quiet,
And sadly regarding my strict New Year’s diet,
When I happened to glance at the brightly lit tree
That glittered and sparkled like a movie marquee.
Yet something seemed different, an imperceptible change,
That made all the ornaments seem wondrously strange.
The crystal-pure snowflakes assumed a fresh gleam,
And the long strings of lights seemed to promise a dream
Of tinsel-draped branches abounding with light,
Of icicles’ pendants supernally white,
Of snow-dusted Santas that knowingly winked
As if sharing a secret that held them all linked.
The glistening balls of red, green, and gold
Reflected live fires to parry the cold.
All of the trinkets we’d hung with such care
Seemed suddenly, sacredly, rarer than rare.
And there, near the tree-top, a rough, hand-carved stable
Transformed in a breath to a scene from a fable.
It seemed to grow larger, to capture within
An essence of grandeur about to begin.
A crudely hewn Joseph leaned nearer fresh straw,
His father-eyes gleaming with reverence and awe;
While Mary extended a pain-warding hand
As if she knew all of the suffering life planned
For the infant now resting without any care;
Her other hand raised in a mute, wordless prayer.
Visibly carved from a small piece of pine,
They nonetheless shone with a semblance divine.
And the Baby…the Baby … wrapped snug in the hay,
The reason for world-wide rejoicing this day,
Looked down from His manger with such sweet repose
That my heart seemed to swell like a young Christmas rose.
He spoke not a word, yet I heard in my mind
Assurance of love meant for all human-kind;
And then—in my vision, or dream, as it were—
The Santas, the snowflakes merged to a white blur,
Until all that remained were the Child and the Star
Surmounting the tree like a sign from afar
That they would be blessed, who embraced the pure sweetness
Of Christ’s peace on earth, the path to completeness.
With that, with a start, I blinked and I stirred,
Amazed to discover that all had occurred
In an instant, a heartbeat, as I drowsed in my chair,
Receiving this vision, yet all unaware.
I rose, climbed the stairs that led to my bed,
While thoughts of next morning threaded my head.
At last, as I drifted toward dreamless sleep,
My eyes misted gently as though they would weep
For the joy of that knowing, that moment’s recall
Of the meaning of Christmas for me…and for all.
Author notes
Option 7: spiritual Christmas
"Christmass Cheer #1"
It is difficult to choose "the best," but this is one of the poems that I felt came closest to what I intended. And it was a Christmas gift for my family, so that does make it special to me.
A contest entry
- 'Twas the night before Christmas by Angel Of Heaven99.
500 points, ended December 13, 2007, 9 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Christmas 12 OPTIONS (Lots of Winners!!!!!) by Poetry and I Inc.
3890 points, ended December 8, 2007, 26 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Calling All Christmas Posts by daviscth.
450 points, ended December 20, 2007, 57 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - your best work composed over the last twelve months by Lute.
600 points, ended January 9, 2008, 68 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Options Contest by fairytalelovestory.
340 points, ended January 11, 2008, 30 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - ♦~♦~♦~ Christmas Cheer - #1 {Anything Goes} ~♦~♦~♦ by Rebekah-Ann.
525 points, ended January 8, 2008, 20 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - 'Twas The Night Before Christmas [2 Days] by Ryno.
300 points, ended January 18, 2008, 8 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Joy to the world!!! 1,000 christmas poems wanted!!! by Elvenfairy.
3265 points, ended March 1, 2008, 141 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 38 of 38
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beautiful!
I think the original author of this poem (his name escapes me right now) would love your rendition.
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I love this peice. its well made and wonderful to read
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Nice work, flows very well too.
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Simply AMAZING!!!!!
This is just nothing short of amazing!!!! Your vocabulary brought such imagery to this story and brought it to life for me once again. I wrote one similar called "The Very First Christmas" but to me it pales in comparison to this piece to have so eloquently designed here. Thanks for reitterating the true meaning of christmas in such a fantastic way for all of us to read and enjoy!!!! I am bookmarking this poem if you don't mind to read again and again!!! Thanks for sharing!!!~~~Toni~~~ -
It's great to see the very best poetry on the front page, and it is also (purely personally speaking
) to see a poem that is metrically perfect but with the syllables slightly out in places work so wonderfully well.
Great poetry
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this was a wonderful christmas poem. Thanks for entering my contest. Sorry it's taking me so long to judge, but I have a lot of entries to read, and I am swamped with school work.
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Pretty
Loved this -
This is fabulous!
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It has an
aaabbbcccdeefffbbbggghhhxhhdddxxbbbxx
pattern
s s s s s s s s s s s s
‘Twas the night before Christmas. The darkness lay still - (12)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
As the snowflakes that mantled the front window-sill. - (12)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
The children were sleeping, worn out from a day - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Of Christmas-Eve frolics and family play, - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
From snow-angel making and snowman-construction, - (12)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
Snow-fortress preparing and snowball production. - (12)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
My wife slept as soundly, worn out by her role - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s
Of chief brownie-maker and damage control. - (10)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s ss
So I sat in rapt silence, enjoying the quiet, - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s
And sadly regarding my strict New Year’s diet, - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
When I happened to glance at the brightly lit tree - (12)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
That glittered and sparkled like a movie marquee. - (13)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Yet something seemed different, an imperceptible change, - (14)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
That made all the ornaments seem wondrously strange. - (12)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
The crystal-pure snowflakes assumed a fresh gleam, - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
And the long strings of lights seemed to promise a dream - (12)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Of tinsel-draped branches abounding with light, - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s
Of icicles’ pendants supernally white, - (10)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Of snow-dusted Santas that knowingly winked - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
As if sharing a secret that held them all linked. - (12)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s
The glistening balls of red, green, and gold - (10)
s s s s s s s s s s
Reflected live fires to parry the cold. - (10)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s
All of the trinkets we’d hung with such care - (10)
s s s s s s s s s s
Seemed suddenly, sacredly, rarer than rare. - (10)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s s
And there, near the tree-top, a rough, hand-carved stable - (13)
s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Transformed in a breath to a scene from a fable. - (13)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
It seemed to grow larger, to capture within - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s
An essence of grandeur about to begin. - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s
A crudely hewn Joseph leaned nearer fresh straw, - (9)
s s s s s s s s s s
His father-eyes gleaming with reverence and awe; - (10)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
While Mary extended a pain-warding hand - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s s s
As if she knew all of the suffering life planned - (13)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
For the infant now resting without any care; - (12)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Her other hand raised in a mute, wordless prayer. - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Visibly carved from a small piece of pine, - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s
They nonetheless shone with a semblance divine. - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s s
And the Baby…the Baby … wrapped snug in the hay, - (13)
s s s s s s s s s s s
The reason for world-wide rejoicing this day, - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Looked down from His manger with such sweet repose - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
That my heart seemed to swell like a young Christmas rose. - (12)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
He spoke not a word, yet I heard in my mind - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Assurance of love meant for all human-kind; - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
And then—in my vision, or dream, as it were— - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
The Santas, the snowflakes merged to a white blur, - (12)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
Until all that remained were the Child and the Star - (12)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Surmounting the tree like a sign from afar - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
That they would be blessed, who embraced the pure sweetness - (12)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Of Christ’s peace on earth, the path to completeness. - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
With that, with a start, I blinked and I stirred, - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s
Amazed to discover that all had occurred - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s s s
In an instant, a heartbeat, as I drowsed in my chair, - (13)
ss s s s s s s s s s
Receiving this vision, yet all unaware. - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
I rose, climbed the stairs that led to my bed, - (11)
s s s s s s s s s
While thoughts of next morning threaded my head. - (9)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
At last, as I drifted toward dreamless sleep, - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s
My eyes misted gently as though they would weep - (11)
- (0)
s s s s s s s s s s s
For the joy of that knowing, that moment’s recall - (11)
s s s s s s s s s s s s
Of the meaning of Christmas for me…and for all. - (12)
content 7
vocabulary 10.07
accuracy 7.8
creativity 7
theme 6.5
originality 6
totals: 44.37 -
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Thanks for looking at it so quickly. I'm not sure what the "aaabbbcccdeefffbbbggghhhxhhdddxxbbbxx" refers to, since the poem is in rhymed couplets (aabbccddee...), with a 4-stress beat per line regardless of actual syllable count.
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I really can't find words to describe this. It is just so beautifully done and the imagery is better than great. Thanks for posting in my contest and all the best at judging. Merry Christmas, Cathy
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this is a beautifully written poem. sometimes I forget what the real meaning of Christmas is. thank you for the reminder. you did a great job on this poem, congratulations on your trophies.
good luck to you in this contest.
kathy
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I say, I say, I say this was beautifully done, well deserving of that gold and probably another one shortly in the other contest. I have to admit that I am not a religious person, but you told the story beautifully and even though I do not share the same views I agree with the message that Christmas is a time for friends and with family and I'm rather saddened/annoyed at the way it is marketed and how it has somehow become so materialistic.
Your descriptions and imagery throughout are magical...from the first stanza "snowflakes that mantled the front window-sill". I will not copy and past the other parts as you know them well enough already
Your touches of humour too "damage control" and "new year's diet" are exquisite. All to a perfect flow and rhyme too. This is definitely the best Christmas poem that I have ever read.
Well anyway, take care! And for when it's slightly nearer, Merry Christmas x
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Outstanding - Excellent Writing
This is WONDERFUL.
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I am so glad to read poems such this - it gives the reminder of what Christmas is of and for. FransB
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this is beautiful
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Absolutely beautiful!
The TRUE meaning of Christmas is depicted beautifully and wonderfully within the lines of your poem; I absolutely LOVE this and wish you the very best of luck in this contest! Bravo!
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Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the rhyme, the beautiful imagery that took me all the way through this poem. Your meter was right on and you told the Christmas story in such a uniqe and interesting way. A great job. I too wrote the nativity in rhme it is called "The Very First Christmas" if you care to take a look and I would love to hear your feedback on it. Thanks for sharing the true meaning of CHristmas with the world of poetry today it one that needs to be out there especially when the hecticness of shopping seems to over-ride the real meaning of Christmas!!!Thanks again!!!~~Toni~~
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Amazing
This is indeed a beautiful write. I can't help admiring the meticulousness with which you chose each word, creating such a splendid rhyme. Also, this is indeed great way of sharing the chritmas story, the story of love and hope.
Merry Christmas to You and Your family...
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Awwwwwwww, this was just Fantabulously written! As I'm a major writer of rhyme, I must say this was very impressive and the flow was well thought out. Moved kind of with a tune to it. Thanks for your great entry and best of luck to you in winning!
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Stupendous!
What a stellar example under the rubric to, "Remember the reason for the season"
Wonderful piece using so varied a poetic device - from the adherence to the traditional "Night Before Christmas" poetic form to the repetition in "And the Baby...the Baby.." that both adds to the meaning and keeps the meter in line. You might want to capitalize the second "..The Baby.." for emphasis. Just a thought.
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Your response was much appreciated. And I'm going to think through the suggestion for caps on "the Baby"--italics is what I really want but failing that, the capital might work.
Thank you.
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this was...WOW!
great ryming. it must have taken ALOT of hard work and talent. great write! and Merry Christmas.
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Very nice rhyming in this, and very decriptive. Thank you for entering it. Good luck
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wow
i loved this - so well done - so inspiring
i am going to enter this contest because i like the contest but for me - this poem has already won first prize.
jingle
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Thank you. I'll keep an eye out for your entry.
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Oh, that was very well done. You captured the meaning of the holiday absolutely perfectly. The rhyme and the word usage are almost exact. I'll be recommending this to people.
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Many thanks for your enthusiasm. Much appreciated, you can be sure.
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This was so very beautiful that I am speechless! The imagery throughout was just amazing and it blew me away! I love what you did here and the words flowed so very beautifully. I would be a fool not to award this poemthanks for your entry!
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Many thanks for your gracious response and comments. And for the contest, which triggered the poem. We sometimes need just the right prodding to get going.
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A Superb Poem
This is an astonishgly beautiful piece of writing. I loved the ' Night Before Christmas' poem when I was a small child, but your version here is far superior in my opinion. I loved the way you wrote this and the sentiments expressed. This is one of the best Christmas poems I have ever read. Thankyou for both writing this and sharing it with me. I wish you All Good Luck in the contest. All my very best wishes from Rose xx
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I Sit In Aw...
I thought this would be a recap of the traditional Christmas Story as told by nearly everyone when I read the first line of your poem: "'Twas the night before Christmas". As I read on, I was pleasently surprised & relieved to find my assumption wrong. I love this poem & the meaning within it! It is breathtakingly beautiful & a poem all should read. Although He wasn't born on Christmas Day, Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. We would all do well to remember that. I like the way you described it as a fable & then brought it into reality - the story of Baby Jesus, I mean. I would give you 10 applauses, if I could, indeed, I'd give you more. Alas, the limit is 3, so that's what it will be. I'd like to put the link to this poem on my profile...of course, I'll give you the credit for writing it. Would you mind?
Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Good luck in the contest (& please, don't ever delete this poem, in case you decide to start afresh)!
~SunfloweRose
P.S.: Mom, thank you so much for showing me this poem!
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Many thanks for your gracious comment. And I agree: even though December 25th is not THE day, it is A day we have set aside to commemorate a specific series of events. It is sometimes difficult to keep that in mind.
I would be honored for you to link the poem to your profile. Thanks you for asking.
Micol
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This is a beautiful opening to the Christmas spirit. I find myself enchanted for you went on your own path after the opening line that I quickly forgot the old poem and becames enchanted by yours. Beautifully done.
Love, Tom B.
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This is pure perfection in image, beauty and flow. What a great poem and the best take on "‘Twas the night before Christmas" I have ever seen. Well done!
Love,
Amera♥
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This is so exquisite, so beautiful, so lovely and profound. Your poem has brought me to tears. Christmas is no about how much is under the tree, how festive our homes look, how many cookies we managed to bake or to eat. It's not about the giving your wife the prettiest ring, or your children just what they wanted. It's not even about family or friends. Some people have none of these things, but they can still have Christmas. Jesus, Emmanuel, God and sinner reconciled is for all of us.
Praise God!
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Thanks. It felt a bit strange putting the Christmas story into the rocking rhythms of "A Visit from St. Nicholas," but the further into the poem I got, the more comfortable it felt. i appreciate your reading and your comments. just what i would have hoped for.
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