[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

night before christmas \night before christmas\, n.
   the popular name for a poem by clement clarke moore titled a
   visit from st. nicholas, a popular poem with the theme of
   st. nicholas santa claus coming to bring gifts to children
   on christmans eve.
   pjc

   note: the full text of the poem follows: t'was 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 sugarplums danced in their heads;
         and mama 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 my 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 luster 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 porch to the top of the wall
         now dash away dash away dash away all" as the dry
         leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
         when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
         so up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
         with a 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 head, 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 on his chin was as white as the snow;
         he had a broad face and a little round belly,
         that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full 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 staight to his work,
         and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,
         and laying a 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 as he drove out of sight,
         "merry christmas to all, and to all a good night"
         pjc
see also:
a visit from st. nicholas 

Before >> B Words
Before, definition of term: Before
before_pag1.html

Christmas >> C Words
Christmas, definition of term: Christmas
christmas_pag1.html

Christmas Flowe >> C Words
Christmas Flowe, definition of term: Christmas Flowe
christmas+flowe_pag1.html

Christmas Tree >> C Words
Christmas Tree, definition of term: Christmas Tree
christmas+tree_pag1.html

Christmas Eve >> C Words
Christmas Eve, definition of term: Christmas Eve
christmas+eve_pag1.html

Christmas Carol >> C Words
Christmas Carol, definition of term: Christmas Carol
christmas+carol_pag1.html

Christmas Cactu >> C Words
Christmas Cactu, definition of term: Christmas Cactu
christmas+cactu_pag1.html

Christmas Card >> C Words
Christmas Card, definition of term: Christmas Card
christmas+card_pag1.html

Christmas Day >> C Words
Christmas Day, definition of term: Christmas Day
christmas+day_pag1.html

Good Night >> G Words
Good Night, definition of term: Good Night
good+night_pag1.html