FReeper Canteen ~ The Night Before Christmas ~ 21 DEC 2010

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World!! | The Canteen Crew

[laurenmarlowe]

 

 

 

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, Donder 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."

Please visit our Troops this Holiday Season!

United States Army

United States Coast Guard

United States Marines

United States Navy

United States Air Force

Write A Letter To Our Troops

 

 

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Yippee!!! Thank you...now my shopping is done. My Mom is going to dip them in chocolate, as in melted chocolate chips.

[BIGLOOK]

Thanks West Texas Rose.....and Merry Christmas to you!

One of these days, I'll get around to having a Watt's burger.

[luvie]

That’s the guy! I guess I could have just run some consonants together and you would have known who I was talking about. LOL!

[luvie]

It would absolutely be my pleasure to buy you a Wattsburger
AND a Mexican dinner at Manuel’s! ;)

[oldteen]

LOL...Pxmrtql...they’re all the same!

[oldteen]

What’s a Wattsburger?

[Old Sarge]

Hi, Ladies!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Nana Hope, for today's Pledge. Thanks, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your service to America.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

What a beautiful thread table, Ms lauren.
That picture of Santa with his pipe,...
Gosh, he looks so much like my late Poppa....

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sarge...((HUGS))...don’t you look festive in your Santa hat.

[luvie]

Just the best darn hamburger in the world...
....and only made right here in Odessa, Texas! :)
I would love to take ALL my friends there...
...but not too many at a time.
Ya have to eat in the car or we'd have to rent a bus! LOL!

[oldteen]

Evenin' Sarge! *hugs*

How ya been?

Merry Christmas to you!

[BIGLOOK]

What’s a Wattsburger?

Don't know.....but if it's anything like a Buffalo Burger that my son got at the Wall in South Dakota. which was larger than not only his appetite but larger than his head, there'll be take homes to share.

He finished it off by the time we got to Utah.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

‘Whatever happens,
God is there,
to keep you safe within his care.

Although each day brings,
challenges and things
That are unknown,
You don’t have to face them by yourself, alone.

For others care about you,
and will keep you close in prayer,
and above all,
God will guide you.
for he’s truly always there.

Emily Matthews.

Much love, and many hugs and prayers to you...
((((((((Sandy)))))))))

[oldteen]

That good, eh?

Truly, locally owned and operated! Don't see much of that anymore!

[oldteen]

Whoa!

That musta been some burger!

[luvie]

....and good evening, dear (((SARGE)))!!

[luvie]

Locally owned...and only one of it’s kind. The owner comes
out to the car to chat as we are chowing down on the burger
he just made! LOL!

They aren’t as big as the one Big Guy was talking about, but
Mr. LUV and I share one. A whole one with the fries is just
too much! LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ms b...((HUGS)) It warmed up into the low teens today and snowed gently all day. Now it has dropped back into single digits.

Hope you had a better day today.

[luvie]

Howdy, ((((Sis))))

I wish I had gotten a chance to meet your sweet Poppa!

Hope you are having a good week! My nightmare starts tomorrow...
and ends at 2pm on Christmas Eve. Then I can breathe again! :)