A Visit from St. Nicholas facts for kids
'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 would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,
A Visit from St. Nicholas is a very famous poem. It was written by Clement Clarke Moore. Many people also know it as "The Night Before Christmas." This is because of its famous first line.
The poem was first printed on December 23, 1823. It appeared in an American newspaper called the Troy Sentinel. At first, the author was not named. This poem is a big reason why many people imagine Santa Claus the way they do today. It describes how he looks and what happens on Christmas Eve. It also tells us about his sleigh, his reindeer, and how he brings toys to children.
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Who Wrote the Poem?
The poem was written by Clement Clarke Moore. He was a professor. He first shared the poem with his own children. It was then published without his name.
Moore did not want to be known as the author at first. He thought writing poems was not as serious as his work as a professor. Later, he agreed to have his name added to the poem. This happened in 1844.
When Was It First Published?
The poem first appeared in public on December 23, 1823. It was printed in the Troy Sentinel newspaper. This newspaper was based in Troy, New York.
The poem was published anonymously. This means the author's name was not shared. It quickly became very popular. People loved the story it told.
How the Poem Changed Santa Claus
Before this poem, ideas about Santa Claus were different. Some stories showed him as a tall, thin man. Others had him as a magical elf. This poem helped create the image we know today.
The poem describes Santa as "chubby and plump." He has a "broad face" and a "little round belly." It also gives him a sleigh and flying reindeer. These details became part of the Santa Claus story.
Santa's Reindeer Names
The poem also gave names to Santa's eight reindeer. These names are:
- Dasher
- Dancer
- Prancer
- Vixen
- Comet
- Cupid
- Donder (sometimes called Dunder or Donner)
- Blitzen (sometimes called Blixem)
These names are now well-known around the world. They are a key part of the Christmas story.
Why Is This Poem Important?
"A Visit from St. Nicholas" is important for many reasons. It helped shape how we celebrate Christmas. It made Santa Claus a friendly, jolly figure.
The poem also made Christmas Eve a special time. It describes children waiting for Santa. This tradition continues in many homes today. It is one of the most famous Christmas poems ever written.
Images for kids
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Cover page for a series of illustrations for the "Night Before Christmas" produced as part of a PWA project in 1934 by Helmuth F. Thoms
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Clement Clarke Moore, the author of A Visit from St. Nicholas
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The original publication of Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas in the Troy Sentinel, 23 December 1823
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'Twas the night before Christmas (credit: New-York Historical Society)
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