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

 

 

 

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless Our Republic

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha lAUREN!

[PROCON]

Hi Lauren!

[2111USMC]

IN!

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band ~ National Anthem

[oldteen]

Evenin' lauren! *hugs*

Nice to see you!

Merry Christmas!

[laurenmarlowe]

Howdy Hope, and Happy Holidays!

FIRST!!

[laurenmarlowe]

Aloha BIGLOOK, and Happy Holidays!

SECOND!!

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening to you PROCON, and Happy Holidays!

THIRD!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Night Before Christmas

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies’ military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[laurenmarlowe]

Howdy to you 2111USMC, it's great to see you!

[ruesrose]

On the night before Christmas I rode through the town

A glance at the sky showed a star shining down

How brightly it glittered! Its message so clear

Reassuring to mankind that the Christ Child was near

But the night was not peaceful for the world was at war.

The terrorists were threatening to attack us once more

My heart filled with dread of what the holiday would bring

Instead of carols and rejoicing the death bell could ring.

Then crossed my path, when my spirits were so low.

The shadow of a of a man, dressed in red, don’t you know.

At first I was startled! Could it be Santa Claus?

But a closer inspection gave that notion a pause

For what I had seen was a fine blazer of red

Worn by a Marine Corps League member with a cap on his head

My heart lost its sadness for this sign I knew

Was that our Father in heaven would protect me and you.

For there always has been and there always will be

The Lords’ special warriors, the USMC!

He will use them to fight in this great holy war

And the Marines will prevail to bring peace once more.

The Marine Corps League blazer is a sign to us all

That God and the Marines will not let freedom fall

So take heart this Christmas when you see blazers of red

While visions of victory dance in your head.

Merry Christmas Marines Everywhere!

[AZamericonnie]

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen
at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[oldteen]

Good evening, Hope! *hugs*

Thank you for our pledge!

[SandRat]

He’s making a list and checking it twice,
Gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening oldteen, great to see you too, and Merry Christmas!

[oldteen]

Aloha BIG! *hugs*

Did the storm arrive?

[oldteen]

Hiya FRiend! *hugs*

How ya feelin'?

[laurenmarlowe]

Very nice ruesrose, thank you!