Day 2 of Christmas Nightlight Readings: A Visit from St. Nicholas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' 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 will be there...

Most of us have the poem memorized (or at least parts of it) and have seen many cartoon shorts depicting the story, but almost no one realizes the impact on Christmas and the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus. Written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1823 after a snow sleigh ride for his children. Of course the concept of St. Nicholas has graced Christmas Day since early dates, but this is the first instance that St. Nick arrived on Christmas Eve being pulled through the sky on a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer. The image described of Santa Claus in this poem is the way we recognize him today: rosy cheeks, snow-white beard, a round belly that "shook like a bowl full of jelly." Prior to this poem—of course there was always St. Nicholas—the concept of Christmastide visitors and Santa Claus varied. This was the first instance that Santa Claus was conceptualized in every American (and later Europe) home and childhood heart.

For further detail on the Santa Claus we know today, this is a great video!

The Mists of Avalon: An Imagery Poem

This morning I was reading old poems, stories, and essays from high school and middle school. It is so interesting to me how far I have come grammatically and lyrically with my writer's voice. So many things change as you mature, experience more life, and learn more. In high school I had this fascination for Camelot literature and history. Several of my short stories and poems were based on Arthurian legend. One in particular fascinates me and I thought I would post the poem here and share it with my readers. It was inspired by the novel The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, particularly from the cover artwork.

In a land far, far away

Like a star in the galaxy.

There is magic as strong as faith.

The land is known as Avalon.

Now many wonder about this land.

Valleys of green fields as lush as velvet.

Gray skies that come low and high,

But within the mists of the swamp

That is as fluffy white as cream

That’s where the magic beams.

A broad gray pony lives there like a squirrel.

His owner on his back like

The queen of Pearels.

Like wings of a raven

Her hair blows in the wind.

Her gown glistens like gems.

Her face as white as snow,

And in her eyes

There are blue pools of water.

Her lips are as red as blood.

At her side, in her hand

There is a sword

Known as Excaliber.

The sword gleams like the moon.

Its golden handle holds on to its beams.

At the precise time as dawn she comes.

On her pony she circles the pond

Like a bolt of lightening she makes her rounds.

Nothing is missing all is well.

If you believe in magic you will see her.

Her hair jet-black,

Her skin so white.

Maybe you’ll see her eyes like drops of rain.

Maybe you’ll see her blood lips curl.

Smiling mischievously.

Maybe you will see

Excaliber gleaming like a dream.

Maybe you will see her gown of gems

Glistening in the moistly mist

Like sparkling rain.

Maybe you’ll see the whisk of a gray tail

Like a flash of a memory.

Those who don’t know of magic

If they’re lucky they’ll hear

Music of the magicians.

A snort of the gray pony,

Or the lady’s song.

Like a chorus of angels

She sings her song.

Like an echo of bees Excaliber hums.

Like gurgling toads

The water hits against the pond’s banks.

Those were the clippity-clops of her pony

On her dawn investigation

In the mists of Avalon.