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 our brains 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 tinny 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 dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with the 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 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 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!"
附上：京燕兒譯的打油詩《聖誕前夜》
聖誕前夜全屋靜 小小老鼠亦無聲 細心將襪掛壁爐 聖誕老人快來到
孩子熟睡蜷床上 甜李仙子舞夢中 媽戴花巾我戴帽 欲享綿綿長冬夜
忽聞草坪滴答聲 縱身躍起探究竟 飛向窗前如閃電 拉開百葉抬窗框
月光如水映新雪 窗外美景似白晝 映入眼簾奇景現 八隻麋鹿拉雪橇
迅敏活躍小司機 一看便識聖尼克 駿鹿飛馳賽雄鷹 口哨呼喚麋鹿名
大師舞者躍進狐 彗星愛神閃電鹿 飛簷走壁他指揮 麋鹿飛躍全上陣
猶如幹葉颶風卷 遇阻飄然飛上天 裝滿玩具雪橇車 聖誕老人當中坐
側耳傾聽簷上音 麋鹿小蹄噠噠響 我欲回身轉頭望 聖誕老人壁爐降
從頭到腳穿皮草 衣衫全被爐灰遮 一包玩具背身後 恰似商販開箱包
眼睛閃爍酒窩笑 麵似玫瑰櫻桃鼻 小嘴翹起如彎弓 下巴胡須賽白雪
牙叼一管旱煙鬥 青煙繚繞如花環 麵部寬闊肚皮圓 嘻笑顫抖似果凍
胖墩墩來樂陶陶 我禁不住也捧腹 擠個眉眼頭一扭 讓我安心莫懼怕
默不作聲去幹活 裝滿長襪就起身 他將手指放鼻側 點頭示意升壁爐
飛身躍上麋鹿車 口哨吹響隊伍整 輕似絨毛與天齊 邊走邊聽他大喊 聖誕快樂大家享 好夢晚安全體樂
～京燕兒譯～ ～聖誕快樂～
聖誕前夜Twas the night before Christmas 這首詩是大約二百年前Clement Moore先生為自家孩子所作，語言詼諧而充滿神秘感，朗朗上口，如今已經成為家喻戶曉的聖誕經典。去年我把它譯成中文，城裏改版丟了鏈接。在此聖誕將臨之際，傳統節目再讀一遍。此刻，相信你正忙著做聖誕老人好幫手。選什麽好？不要急不要慌，送什麽禮物不重要，那份心意最珍貴~~it is the thought that counts.
這個周末是聖誕將臨期第四主日，點亮將臨蠟燭，也點燃一盞心燈，守住一團愛火，Christmas is here，happy Birthday, baby Jesus!
還有一次爺爺奶奶來我家過聖誕夜，奶奶使了個眼色，爺爺一聲不響溜出了們，正玩得起興兒的大寶雪兒突然聽到清脆的鈴鐺聲，聖誕老人提前送禮物來啦！他們爬到聖誕老人身上摸摸他的胡子，這兩個機靈的小家夥，說“Grandpa, are you Grandpa? ” 然後就開始拉扯他的帽子和胡子：為什麽你的鞋像是Grandpa的? 為什麽你戴了眼鏡像Grandpa? 聖誕老人連忙說我還得趕路給別的孩子們送禮物，奪門而出。。。
後來孩子們發現了爺爺的這套衣服，自己也套上來玩一玩，每個表兄妹們都坐在滿臉稚氣的聖誕老人身上說說自己的小小心願。那時他們還非常相信聖誕老人，每年給Santa寫信，地址是北極，聖誕糖街（candy cane lane, north pole)，要是趕上寄出去的早，還可能幸運地收到Santa的回信，孩子的心裏就吃了一顆定心丸。
這一段文字是梵蒂岡的真誠，也是Don Giorgio 在政治方麵的努力，他是聖父的眼睛，我很感激他。明天我們會去梵蒂岡，安娜專門送他一件來自我們祖國獨一無二的禮物。
聰明的你，我故意漏掉的小秘密，你全能知道，愛你們！
京燕花園 發表評論於
回複安娜晴天的評論:
親愛的阿晴妹妹，抱抱！你帶小寶梵蒂岡度聖誕，很多場麵要參加，辛苦並快樂，每天跟著你的的腳步，深入了解慶典，教堂，聖誕的喜悅。有空就休息，好好玩，不要惦記來博客看我們, 你們的愛全收下。
urbi et orbi，聖父通諭從聖城到世界，都在他老人家的心裏，還特意提到中國。Viva Papa! 這些天我買了my brother the Pope正在讀，非常喜歡，聖父的哥哥也很很有造詣的神父和音樂家，姐姐為弟弟的事業默默服務了34年。
聖誕快樂，聖母抱抱，主佑平安（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
安娜晴天 發表評論於
親愛的燕兒，今天我終於睡了6個小時，感覺好多了。
一清早，帶著梵蒂岡的陽光，來問候燕兒全家，Urbi et Orbi，昨天中午聖父的祝福，全部通過這些文字專給你們。
回複tern2的評論:
聖誕節擁抱親愛的桐兒姐姐，認識你是我的福氣，還要謝謝姨對大寶雪兒的愛。你的心晶瑩如冰雪，white Christmas, 最美的禮物。孩子們一早打開了禮物，昨晚和cousins又自編自演一些節目，快樂地成長。也衷心祝願你的家，美麗的孩子在心智上的增長，飛遠心也近。Merry Christmas and happy new year（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
“the Polar Express”也是我們全家每年聖誕節必看的電影。我也最愛這句話：Miracles are in the hearts of those who believe。
謝謝燕兒傳遞出美好的聖誕信息和大愛的真意，感動燕兒那善良美好的心。祝福全家聖誕快樂，新年萬事如意！
京燕花園 發表評論於
回複安娜晴天的評論:
親愛的阿晴妹妹，抱抱，剛剛從你家回來，相信妹妹和小寶在主的家裏會收獲父愛無邊。現在我正在烤聖誕麵包，明天帶到爺爺奶奶家一起過平安夜。一會兒我再出門做最後的購物，聖誕老人幫手。我們這裏有EWTN(Eternal Word TV)，我明天下午就可以看到你們那裏午夜彌撒，聖父在聖彼得大殿主持的慶典，和你們在一起！
你的好寶貝那麽出色，還不是遺傳你和大師兄的聰穎嗎，為你們驕傲, blessings for the years to come。聖誕快樂，新年快樂，iU（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
京燕花園 發表評論於
今晚收到鄰居和好友Kathy發來的e-mail, 美麗的詩篇by Cameo Smith寫給康州小朋友，這一天，天國多了一排小天使。願愛的記憶, 永生的盼望安撫傷痛的思念的心靈，短暫的生命也散發永恒的光芒。詩歌采取了'twas the night before Christmas的風格，保留在這裏，共勉。
Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“This is heaven.” Declared a small boy. “We’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring,
those children all flew into the arms of their King.
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at jesus’ face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had,
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below.
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“let my power and presence re-enter this land!”
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools.”
“I’m taking back my nation, I’m taking back my schools!”
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now my children, let me show you around.”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT"
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 our brains 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 tinny 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 dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with the 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 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 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!"
附上：京燕兒譯的打油詩《聖誕前夜》
聖誕前夜全屋靜 小小老鼠亦無聲 細心將襪掛壁爐 聖誕老人快來到
孩子熟睡蜷床上 甜李仙子舞夢中 媽戴花巾我戴帽 欲享綿綿長冬夜
忽聞草坪滴答聲 縱身躍起探究竟 飛向窗前如閃電 拉開百葉抬窗框
月光如水映新雪 窗外美景似白晝 映入眼簾奇景現 八隻麋鹿拉雪橇
迅敏活躍小司機 一看便識聖尼克 駿鹿飛馳賽雄鷹 口哨呼喚麋鹿名
大師舞者躍進狐 彗星愛神閃電鹿 飛簷走壁他指揮 麋鹿飛躍全上陣
猶如幹葉颶風卷 遇阻飄然飛上天 裝滿玩具雪橇車 聖誕老人當中坐
側耳傾聽簷上音 麋鹿小蹄噠噠響 我欲回身轉頭望 聖誕老人壁爐降
從頭到腳穿皮草 衣衫全被爐灰遮 一包玩具背身後 恰似商販開箱包
眼睛閃爍酒窩笑 麵似玫瑰櫻桃鼻 小嘴翹起如彎弓 下巴胡須賽白雪
牙叼一管旱煙鬥 青煙繚繞如花環 麵部寬闊肚皮圓 嘻笑顫抖似果凍
胖墩墩來樂陶陶 我禁不住也捧腹 擠個眉眼頭一扭 讓我安心莫懼怕
默不作聲去幹活 裝滿長襪就起身 他將手指放鼻側 點頭示意升壁爐
飛身躍上麋鹿車 口哨吹響隊伍整 輕似絨毛與天齊 邊走邊聽他大喊 聖誕快樂大家享 好夢晚安全體樂
～京燕兒譯～ ～聖誕快樂～
聖誕前夜Twas the night before Christmas 這首詩是大約二百年前Clement Moore先生為自家孩子所作，語言詼諧而充滿神秘感，朗朗上口，如今已經成為家喻戶曉的聖誕經典。去年我把它譯成中文，城裏改版丟了鏈接。在此聖誕將臨之際，傳統節目再讀一遍。此刻，相信你正忙著做聖誕老人好幫手。選什麽好？不要急不要慌，送什麽禮物不重要，那份心意最珍貴~~it is the thought that counts.
這個周末是聖誕將臨期第四主日，點亮將臨蠟燭，也點燃一盞心燈，守住一團愛火，Christmas is here，happy Birthday, baby Jesus!
還有一次爺爺奶奶來我家過聖誕夜，奶奶使了個眼色，爺爺一聲不響溜出了們，正玩得起興兒的大寶雪兒突然聽到清脆的鈴鐺聲，聖誕老人提前送禮物來啦！他們爬到聖誕老人身上摸摸他的胡子，這兩個機靈的小家夥，說“Grandpa, are you Grandpa? ” 然後就開始拉扯他的帽子和胡子：為什麽你的鞋像是Grandpa的? 為什麽你戴了眼鏡像Grandpa? 聖誕老人連忙說我還得趕路給別的孩子們送禮物，奪門而出。。。
後來孩子們發現了爺爺的這套衣服，自己也套上來玩一玩，每個表兄妹們都坐在滿臉稚氣的聖誕老人身上說說自己的小小心願。那時他們還非常相信聖誕老人，每年給Santa寫信，地址是北極，聖誕糖街（candy cane lane, north pole)，要是趕上寄出去的早，還可能幸運地收到Santa的回信，孩子的心裏就吃了一顆定心丸。
