'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Every creature was stirring, except for my spouse
Who'd fallen asleep by the warm cozy fire
Leaving me with the kids who never seemed to tire.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
With repeats of "Don't touch that, just leave them there"
The kids run this way and that, trying to flee
And nearly knock over the festooned Christmas tree.

Exhausted from chasing, I flop down in a chair
And remind the children that Santa soon will be there;
That they shouldn't be up, he might be sad or perhaps miffed
And that coal was a perfectly acceptable gift.

They stop in their tracks, eyes open wide
Then hightail it upstairs, trying not to collide
They leap into bed with their covers pulled tight
And I give them a hug and a quick kiss goodnight.

Finally the children are nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of Barbie dolls dance in their heads
With me in my lounge pants and hubby with his tea
We revel in this quiet holiday moment, kid free.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
We draw straws to see who will check on the matter
I giggle softly, hubby drew the short stick,
And jest he'd better check to see if it's St. Nick.

As he bundles up, dons his boots and his jacket
I gather up gifts while he checks on the racket
I place each one beneath the big Christmas tree
And notice a gift I didn't put there, just for me.

The wrapping is perfect and topped with a bow
Suddenly hubby bursts in, all covered with snow
He's speechless as he shakes the ice from his boots
We reach for each other when we hear sounds on the roof.

"What was that?" I ask, almost afraid to hear,
"Don't tell me you saw a sleigh and eight reindeer?"
He's not sure what he saw but knew it would be tragic
If this one Christmas night we didn't believe in the magic.

No longer afraid, we snuggle close to overhear
And each of us a feel a bit more Christmas cheer
The sounds overhead become softer and more faint
Perhaps tonight we were visited by a certain saint.

Now giddy as children, I feel obliged to recite
"A Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night!"