A Visit from St. Nicholas, more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who claimed authorship in 1837. It is largely responsible for some of the conceptions of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today, especially in North America.
Whilst the poem sets the arrival of Saint Nicholas on the evening before Christmas, most Western European countries observe Saint Nicholas Day on the 6th of December. This is in honour of Saint Nicholas of Myra (traditionally 15 March 270 – 6 December 343), an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Myra in Asia Minor. Nicholas had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him.
According to one source, in medieval times nuns used the night of 6 December to deposit baskets of food and clothes anonymously at the doorsteps of the needy. His legendary habit of gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus from the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas.
Today, we have asked Accredited Lecturer Simon Whitehouse to give us a reading of this classic poem to celebrate the Feast of Saint Nicholas.
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Comments
A delightful start to my morning and beautifully read. Thank you
Thank you Simon, for such a wonderful reciting of this most adorable Christmas poem, bringing us back to our childhood, when we read it together with my father.
Delightful way to start the week. Thank you
Thanks so much... I travelled from Mars to Jupiter on top of the jelly belly of Santa!
Absolutely loved Simon’s reading - perfect way to start the week! Thank you.
I love that poem! Magical & beautifully read. Thank you
Brilliant start to Monday morning - thank you 😊
That’s lovely, thank you
Beautifully read. Thank you.
A lovely poem beautiful read. Brings the spirit of Christmas alive.