'Twas The Night Before
Christmas (Legal Style)
Whereas, on an occasion immediately preceding the Nativity festival, throughout
a certain dwelling unit, quiet descended, in which could be heard no
disturbance, not even the sound emitted by a diminutive rodent related to, and
in form resembling, a rat; and
Whereas, the offspring of the occupants had affixed their tubular, closely knit
coverings for the nether limbs to the flue of the fireplace in expectation that
a personage known as St.Nicholas would arrive; and
Whereas, said offspring had become somnolent, and were entertaining re:
saccharine-flavored fruit; and
Whereas, the adult male of the family, et ux, attired in proper headgear, had
also become quiescent in anticipation of nocturnal inertia; and
Whereas, a distraction on the snowy acreage outside aroused the owner to
investigate; and
Whereas, he perceived in a most unbelieving manner a vehicle propelled by eight
domesticated quadrapeds of a species found in artic regions; and
Whereas, a most odd rotund gentleman was entreating the aforesaid animals by
their appellations, as follows:
"Your immediate co-operation is requested. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen;
and collective action by you will be much appreciated, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and
Blitzen"; and
Whereas, subsequent to the above, there occurred a swift descent to the hearth
by the aforementioned gentleman, where he proceeded to deposit gratuities in the
aforementioned tubular coverings.
Now, therefore, be ye advised: that upon completion of these acts, and upon his
return to his original point of departure, he proclaimed a felicitation of the
type prevalent and suitable to these occasions, ie:
Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!
Author Unknown