History Literature / TwasTheNightBeforeChristmas

Originally titled and also known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas", this 1823 poem -- first published anonymously but eventually attributed to American Episcopalian scholar Clement Clarke Moore -- is about one household's, well, visit from [[SantaClaus St. Nicholas]].

An 1823 poem, first published anonymously but eventually attributed to American Episcopalian scholar Clement Clarke Moore, about one household's visit from SantaClaus. Originally titled and also known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas".

->'Twas the night before Christmas,\\

Not even a mouse...

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/twas_the_night_before_christmas.jpeg]]

An 1823 poem, first published anonymously but eventually attributed to Episcopalian scholar Clement Clarke Moore, about one household's visit from SantaClaus. Originally titled and also known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas".

An 1823 poem by Clement Clarke Moore about a visit from [[SantaClaus St. Nick]]. Originally titled and also known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas".

-->--The poems opening lines

** St Nick's described as being an elf himself, here whereas most later adaptations of Santa appear to be a human who employs [[ChristmasElves a rather gnomish race of elf seemingly unique to the North Pole]].

** He's describe as being an elf himself,whereas most later adaptations of Santa appear to be a human who employs [[ChristmasElves a rather gnomish race of elf seemingly unique to the North Pole]].

** He's describe as being an elf himself,whereas most later adaptations of Santa appear to be a human who employs [[ChristmasElf a rather gnomish race of elf seemingly unique to the North Pole]].

->'Twas the night before Christmas,
->When all thro' the house,
->Not a creature was stirring,
->Not even a mouse...

* AdaptationDistillation: The poem crystallizes a number of ideas about St. Nicholas first found in Washington Irving's ''Knickerbocker History of New York''.

->Twas the night before Christmas,
->And all through the house,

* BeamMeUpScotty:
** "On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!" Only it isn't--the original poem retained the ''Dutch'' names ''Donder'' and ''Blixen'', as was suitable to the old Dutch settlers of New York who introduced Santa Claus to America. Later re-printings {{Retcon}}ned the names into their more familiar German forms. However, albeit this was most likely unintentional, the name "Donner" still could retain some significance depending on how you look at it; in French, the verb "donner" means "to give," which is quite faithful to the spirit of Christmas, indeed.
** The phrase "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

** "On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!" Only it isn't--the original poem retained the ''Dutch'' names ''Donder'' and ''Blixen'', as was suitable to the old Dutch settlers of New York who introduced Santa Claus to America. Later re-printings {{Retcon}}ned the names into their more familiar German forms.

* MeaningfulName: In original editions of the poem, traditionally two of the eight reindeer are labelled as "Dunder and Blixem," meaning "Thunder and Lightning," though they are popularly renamed in later publications and translations as "Donner and Blitzen." Albeit this was most likely unintentional on the translators' part, the name "Donner" arguably could still retain some significance depending on how you look at it; in French, the verb "donner" means "to give," which is faithful to the spirit of Christmas.

** "On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!" Only it isn't--the original poem retained the ''Dutch'' names ''Donder'' and ''Blixen'', as was suitable to the old Dutch settlers of New York who introduced [[strike:Sinterklaas]] Santa Claus to America. Later re-printings RetConned the names into their more familiar German forms.
** The phrase "[[strike:Merry]] Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"