Midnight Visitor

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Everyone was sleeping, except for my spouse

Around the tree the floor was bare

And in the stockings nothing hung there.

Mom was sacked out asleep on the couch

And dad slaved in his office in an ominous crouch.

When who do you think would appear at our door?

Why Santa Clause! And small feet hit the floor.

A squeal, a scream and a stampede of feet

Knocking Santa right onto his seat!

Mommy was up with her camera ready

And Daddy came out from his overworked study.

The kids each in turn sat on his lap

He gave them a present and they gave a clap.

Each Christmas wish was filled to a T

And none of the kids was left with a plea.

Then off to their beds the kids did scamper

For nothing of Christmas did they want to hamper.

Then out stepped Santa with a wave of goodbye

But no one saw him soar into the sky.

For sleepy eyes drooped and slid into sleep

But the memories forever will be theirs to keep.

-J.H. Schmidt

On Christmas Eve we arranged for our good friend to come over. He has a full Santa suit, complete with snowy white beard and black boots, the whole works. He was supposed to come over shortly after bedtime so Paul and I could set up Christmas but didn’t actually make it until midnight. I fell asleep waiting for him on the couch and Paul worked on fixing someone’s computer so they would have it for Christmas. We had figured he had forgotten when he called to say he was on his way. He came to the kids window and “Ho! Ho! Ho!” as he smacked the side of the house and shook the jingle bells. We helped the kids awake to see Santa outside and then they all stampeded out to the family room. Each kid had asked for basically only one thing for Christmas (except for Emmy, she had asked for presents). So I had wrapped and given their requests to Santa ahead of time. As each kid in turn sat on Santa and told them what they wanted he handed them a wrapped gift. Imagine their ecstatic cries as they found exactly what they had asked for inside each package. The kids gave him the milk and cookies they had set out and then scampered off to bed. Paul and I very sleepily bid our friend farewell and then set up Christmas. I think we finally crashed around 2:30 a.m. It was a very magical time with our midnight visitor and I think as long as we haven’t gone anywhere we will have a repeat next year.