‘Twas the Morning of Christmas
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” is perhaps the most well-known (and loved?) Christmas poem of all. There have been many “spin offs” from the original. Here is mine. I am including the original with my version for comparison sake. Mine is drastically different as I focus on Jesus’ arrival instead of Santa’s. However, there were a few places I could borrow or mimic some lines from the original. I hope you enjoy it!
‘Twas the Morning of Christmas
By David H. Birsching
‘Twas the morning of Christmas, when all through the land
Not a creature was stirring, not even a lamb.
The shepherds were watching o’er the sheep with care,
And hoped that the sunshine soon would be there.
The sheep were bedded down all deep in their sleep,
Certain their shepherds their care safe would keep.
The shepherds themselves rested close to the fire
A quiet early morning their greatest desire.
When out of the darkness a brilliance appeared
And an angel of God changed their calm to great fear!
They turned ‘way in terror, their hands o’er their eyes,
Their sheer consternation hard to disguise.
The angel said, “Please don’t fear my glorious view.
I bring you incredible, joyful good news!
The long-promised Savior is born now this day!
I’m sent by the Lord the great news to relay.”
“This newborn baby is Christ the Lord,
The prophesied one from cent’ries before.
He’s born in Bethlehem, laid in a manger;
God living among you, what could be stranger?”
Suddenly a full host of angels appeared,
And joined together for the shepherds to hear:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven!
May God’s peace be known forever and ever!”
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
And meeting an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the heavens the angels they flew,
Confident their message the shepherds now knew.
The news wouldn’t allow the shepherds to stay,
But forced them to leave without a delay.
They soon found Joseph and the mother, Mary
And just as was promised, the little Baby.
The Babe was dressed in rags, from his head to his foot,
His clothes were all covered with hay and with soot.
In a manger he lay, so frail and so small;
It was hard to imagine he was God over all.
But his eyes showed a wisdom, a knowing them deeply;
A love beyond words, a caring completely.
How could this little one view them like that?
In awe of their Lord, they trembled … and sat.
On God’s promise fulfilled they settled their gaze;
On Jesus their Savior they stared, quite amazed.
Their sins he would carry; their debt he would pay
And his mission began on this very day.
The time finally came for them to return,
But the news they learned within them did burn.
“The Savior is born!” they lifted the call,
To the utter amazement of one and of all;
Though no angels appear, a message to bring,
At Christmas we still have full reason to sing!
Though no journey will take us the Baby to see
That Baby is still Savior for you and for me!
So spring to your worship! Your praises lift high!
Your thankful hearts full ‘cause your Savior came nigh!
And may everyone hear, who’er is in sight
“Merry Christmas to all, for Christ made all things right!”
Twas the Night Before Christmas
By Clement Clarke 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 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, DONNER 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 GOOD-NIGHT!
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2 thoughts on “‘Twas the Morning of Christmas”
Dave, that poem you gave a shot?
Well, I did like it a lot
So, if wish to try again
I’d say, “Go right ahead, friend.”
Your writing is always well done. Thanks for reminding everyone where our true focus is directed.
Comments are closed.