About a week ago I was going through some papers and came across this Poem I used to read to my daughter on Christmas Eve many years ago...I have no idea who the Author is..I hope you enjoy it....


The night before Christmas ! A beautiful night !

The air was so crisp and the stars were so bright!

And down by the lake you could still hear the ringing of laughter and sleigh bell and young people singing.

In one little home on this wonderful eve the children were guessing what Santa would leave.

They hung up their stockings with big little eyes that shone with delight and hope of surprise .And then their Mother darkened the living room light,For this was the loveliest part of the night.When all of the children were gathered to sing "Happy Birthday to you" to the new little king.

But of shadow of sadness enveloped their joy. There were tears in the eyes of one little boy.He turned to his mother and let out a cry,The Angles were there and the Shepherds came by, The way was so clear and the star was so bright . Didn't Santa Claus stop at the stable that night ?

The mother was stunned --there wasn't a stir--The five little children were looking at her. They wanted to know what the answer would be.What could she tell them--How could they see ?

Then she looked at the stable--the Infant so sweet,And she looked at the Mother who knelt at his feet.

The baby was Love -the joy of the living,the Mother the essence of sharing and giving.And there was the answer to counter her fears.What seemed inconsistent became very clear..For when before Christ was there ever a cause for poor soul to expect Santa Clause ?

Yes the infant was love and the joy of the living ;And Mary, her baby was sharing and giving; And Santa was there ,a gift from above,Invisible of giving and love.

There was joy in her heart as she tended the tear,and her words overflowed with a genuine cheer. For now she was sure that her answer was right,"Of course Santa came to the stable that night" And oh ,with what joy did the children receive The story she told of the First Christmas Eve:



The nigh before Christmas ! A long time ago !

Away to the north in the land of the snow !

And there lived a toymaker cheerful and good. who made the most wonderful toys that he could. But there was a rumor that seemed to be wild,that Santa had made all of the toys for one little child.

And yet,no one ever had heard of one toy that Santa had given to girls or to boys.



And some people said that when Santa slept sound,with no one but some of his helpers around, The toys in the workshop came down from the shelves and had the most wonderful time for themselves.And as they were frolicking one winter night,They suddenly noticed a beautiful light .And then they recalled with excitement and joy What Santa had said when he finished each toy. "I fashioned you into a wonderful thing for someday, you will be my gift for a King"



When Santa Claus saw the remarkable light,He knew that tonight was the glorious night.At last, after all these years he had waited, the infant was born as the Bible had stated



So quickly he called every helper and aide to pack all of the wonderful toys he had made. The trains and the boats and the airplanes that hum,the soldiers and sailors with bugles and drum.The games and the crayons and coloring sets,A football and baseball and little toy pets.

He packed them all carefully inside of his sleigh,and led by the star, he began on his way.



It was the night before Christmas ! A beautiful night ! The air was so crisp, and the star was so bright ! Quite and clam over Bethlehem lay. Silence replaced the ado of the day.



High on a hillside ,the Angles were singing Of peace and of love that the Christ child was bringing.

There in a manger the Infant was sleeping and Mary and Joseph a vigil were keeping-- For Jesus , whom God had ordained to their care.



And late in the night by the light from above, Santa Claus came with a heart full of love.

He gazed at the Infant--the dear little lord, And kneeling , he silently prayed and adored.

Then Santa arose,and without any noise, he brought to the mother the wonderful toys.

He told her how he had made every one so he might present to her little son.

And they say when Our Lady beheld the surprise,she whispered to Santa with tears in her eyes, I thank you for what

you have given my Son.Your present is truly a wonderful one. And this above all is the worthiest part the love that is fostered for him in your heart.



But you know my son will be like other little boys,and he couldn't possibly use all the toys,so each Christmas Eve as if by the star,I'd like you to travel both near and afar. To visit the children as Jingle bells ring.

In honor of Jesus our new little King and spread all your love and your spirit of giving so others may share in the joy of the living.



And Oh Santa, take all of the wonderful toys and give them with love to the girls and the boys, for that which you do unto some other is counted as if it were done for my son.



Then, sweetly she patted the toys with her hand and picked for her son a little whit lamb...