‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the plane Not a creature was stirring, not even in coach or first lane. The tickets were all booked with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The passengers were nestled all snug in their seats, While visions of tropical beaches danced in their heads. And the pilot in his cap, and the flight attendant in her scarf, Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the runway there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of midday 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, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the terminal! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the terminal roof 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 baggage chute 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 baggage chute 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 flight!”
