Twas the Night before Christmas
New York, NEW YORK — The poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known by its opening line “‘Twas the Night before Christmas,” has a special place among Christmas traditions, right alongside hot chocolate, caroling and bright lights. It has also inspired the modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly...

![“‘Twas the Night before Christmas” was instrumental in crafting the modern American version of Santa Claus. The poem describes St. Nicholas as “dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,” with twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks, a snow white beard and a round belly. Throughout the poem, Santa is depicted as a jolly elf bringing joy with his reindeer-led sleigh to both children and adults. [screenshot of manuscript from Facebook] Night before Christmas text](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/night_before_xmas.jpg?itok=F3Gr7gyR)