Moore’s classic rhymes remind the reader of the excitement of having to wait one final night until Christmas Day, “when all through the house/Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”. The Night Before Christmas conveys the joy of looking forward to the festive season as well as it manifests nothing less than today’s notion of Santa Claus – with the additional benefit of reminding the reader of all of Santa’s reindeer’s names.

The text can be used in a teaching unit or lesson on Christmas.

Poem · United States · 1823