Twas with a Twist 2020

’Twas, with a
Twist!
The Continuing Journey with St. Nicholas
as He Celebrates His Favorite Gift
Richard L. Blackburn • Rhonda D. Carnahan
Original poem by Clement Clarke Moore

’Twas, with a
Twist!
The Continuing Journey with St. Nicholas
as He Celebrates His Favorite Gift
Richard L. Blackburn and Rhonda D. Carnahan
Original poem by Clement Clarke Moore
Illustrations by Susan Shorter
R&R Blackburn Enterprises
Clovis, California
TwasWithATwist.com

’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 sugarplums danced in their heads;

And Mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap,
Had just settled down 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 luster of midday to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny 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 an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew
With a 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 on 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 bowl full 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!”

But then in a twist, I was whisked far away,
I was right there beside him – St. Nick – in his sleigh!

We traveled a distance, I know not how far,
We were guided, illumined – we were drawn by a star.

Then touching down lightly at our destination,
A sight I beheld that defied explanation –
Creatures of all descriptions and colors,
From reindeer to snowmen, from princes to paupers.

But why were they gathering, and why at a stable?
Now what’s this? It looks like . . . a choir of angels!
What’s going on here – why such grand display?

St. Nick pointed, and whispered,
“He’s there . . . in the hay.”

Approaching the manger, St. Nicholas gave pause
To acknowledge why he had become Santa Claus;

The greatest of gifts
lay wrapped tight,
as in paper,

And there, kneeling down
. . . he worshipped the Savior.

Together in reverence knelt we there in the stall,
To honor the greatest Gift and Gift-Giver of all.
The Father confirmed His profound proclamation:

“Merry Christmas to all – every tongue, tribe . . .

“and nation!”

A bit about . . .
’Twas
When ’Twas, with a Twist! co-author Richard Blackburn was asked to read ’Twas the
Night Before Christmas at his church’s Christmas Eve service, he felt honored to do
so. He also was drawn to find a way to share what inspired the real St. Nicholas to
be so generous in the first place. After the additional verses were performed, it was
so well received that he wanted others to be able to enjoy the continuing journey with
St. Nicholas as well. This book is the result.
St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas is celebrated around the world for his generosity and kindness. Traditions
about him vary from place to place, but his reputation remains consistent. He is
revered as a generous, kind, and compassionate man who used his substantial
resources to help those in need.
One story about St. Nicholas involves three sisters from a poor family. Because their
father could not provide a dowry, they were destined to a life of servitude. Upon
hearing this, St. Nicholas secretly passed by the home of the sisters, leaving money
so they could wed. He did this three times, and on one of his secret visits the father
saw him and was able to thank him. This is one of many stories and legends that
abound, but whether factual or fanciful, the theme repeated throughout history is that
St. Nicholas loved people, and gave generously.
But why was he so generous?
What is often missed in all the tales surrounding this “jolly old elf” is that St. Nicholas
was raised a devout follower of Jesus Christ. One of the key teachings that influenced
his life involved Jesus instructing a rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give to
the poor.
Over the years, however, the historic figure of St. Nicholas began to transform into the
“Santa Claus” we know today. In North America, his image was greatly influenced by a
simple little poem generally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, an academic scholar.

Clement Clarke Moore
Moore wrote A Visit from St. Nicholas (more popularly known as ’Twas the Night
Before Christmas) in 1822. Reportedly, his original intent was simply to delight and
entertain the six children he had at the time. After it was anonymously made public
in 1823, it quickly became his best-known literary work. His whimsical portrayal of
St. Nick began to influence the way many families viewed and celebrated Christmas,
and nearly 200 years later the beloved poem continues to be read in thousands of
households every Christmas season.
Moore was a professor of Divinity and Biblical Learning at the General Theological
Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York City. This seminary is still
in operation today, and is built on land Moore himself donated.
Jesus
The Bible tells us that Jesus was the greatest Gift ever given because it was this baby
in a manger who offered salvation to the world. His life, death, and resurrection
made it possible for people of every race, every culture, every language, and every
background to have a thriving relationship with Him here on Earth and enjoy an
eternity with Him in Heaven.
The Bible makes it clear, and St. Nicholas would concur, when God gave us Jesus He
gave us the greatest gift of all!
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his
Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17
Imagine, the person who said of himself, “I have been given all authority in heaven
and on Earth,” came to us as a baby . . . in a manger . . . in a stable.

Richard L. Blackburn is an enthusiastic storyteller who loves to
communicate biblical truths in creative ways, often through music. He credits
his mother, who was also a writer, for encouraging his creative pursuits.
Rhonda D. Carnahan studied professional writing at Cedarville University.
She has been involved in numerous writing projects for overseas missions and
local churches. She is originally from Orillia, Ontario.
Richard and Rhonda were married in 2013 and reside in California.
Visit us at TwasWithATwist.com

’Twas, with a Twist!
Copyright © 2014 Richard L. Blackburn and Rhonda D. Carnahan
’Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
Additional verses for ’Twas, with a Twist! by Richard L. Blackburn and Rhonda D. Carnahan
Illustrations by Susan Shorter
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic,
electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information
storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of
brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
’Twas, with a Twist! may be ordered through booksellers or at TwasWithATwist.com.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996,
2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers,
Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-9907603-0-6 (hardcover - 8-1/2” x 11”)
ISBN: 978-0-9907603-2-0 (softcover - 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”)
ISBN: 978-0-9907603-1-3 (ebook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014918081
Published by R&R Blackburn Enterprises
Revision Date: October 10, 2016

After the stockings are hung by the chimney
with care and Pa has his startling encounter,
he is suddenly whisked away to the birthplace of
St. Nicholas’ gift-giving inspiration!
’Twas, with a Twist! unites the nostalgia of ’Twas
the Night Before Christmas with a surprising
journey to the manger where Christmas all began.
CHILDREN’S FICTION
TwasWithATwist.com