0:00:02 > 0:00:06CBeebies Bedtime Story.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09There. That's nearly done.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Hello. I'm Simon.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12I've nearly finished
0:00:12 > 0:00:14decorating this tree,
0:00:14 > 0:00:16and just in time, as it's Christmas Eve.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Soon it'll be time for you to settle down to sleep
0:00:19 > 0:00:22so that a very special visitor can arrive,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25a special visitor who has quite a lot of different names.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Pere Noel,
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Babbo Natale,
0:00:28 > 0:00:29Kris Kringle,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32but you probably know him as Father Christmas.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Or Santa Claus.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Tonight's story was written long ago,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40when Father Christmas was known as St Nicholas.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44Let me tell you 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
0:00:44 > 0:00:46by Clement C Moore
0:00:46 > 0:00:48and John Joven.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49It was the night before Christmas,
0:00:49 > 0:00:51when all through the house
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
0:00:54 > 0:00:57The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
0:00:57 > 0:00:59In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there
0:00:59 > 0:01:03The children were nestled all snug in their beds
0:01:03 > 0:01:06While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Had just settled our brains
0:01:11 > 0:01:13for a long winter's nap
0:01:13 > 0:01:16When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
0:01:16 > 0:01:19I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Away to the window I flew like a flash
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
0:01:24 > 0:01:27The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
0:01:27 > 0:01:31Gave the lustre of midday to objects below
0:01:31 > 0:01:34When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
0:01:34 > 0:01:38But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer
0:01:38 > 0:01:42With a little old driver, so lively and quick
0:01:42 > 0:01:44I knew in a moment it must be St Nick
0:01:44 > 0:01:47More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came
0:01:47 > 0:01:49He whistled, shouted, called them by name
0:01:49 > 0:01:52"Now, Dasher, now, Dancer,
0:01:52 > 0:01:54"Now, Prancer, and Vixen!
0:01:54 > 0:01:56"On, Comet! On, Cupid!
0:01:56 > 0:01:58"On, Donner and Blitzen!
0:01:58 > 0:02:01"To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
0:02:01 > 0:02:05"Now, dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
0:02:05 > 0:02:09As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
0:02:09 > 0:02:11When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
0:02:11 > 0:02:14So up to the house top, the coursers they flew
0:02:14 > 0:02:16With the sleigh full of toys,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18and St Nicholas, too
0:02:18 > 0:02:20And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
0:02:20 > 0:02:23The prancing and pawing of each little hoof
0:02:23 > 0:02:26As I drew in my head and was turning around
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound
0:02:29 > 0:02:30THUMP
0:02:30 > 0:02:31MIAOW!
0:02:31 > 0:02:33He was dressed all in fur,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35from his head to his foot
0:02:35 > 0:02:37And his clothes were all tarnished
0:02:37 > 0:02:39with ashes and soot
0:02:39 > 0:02:41A bundle of toys he had flung on his back
0:02:41 > 0:02:44And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack
0:02:44 > 0:02:47His eyes, how they twinkled!
0:02:47 > 0:02:49His dimples, how merry!
0:02:49 > 0:02:51His cheeks were like roses,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54his nose like a cherry!
0:02:54 > 0:02:56His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
0:02:56 > 0:02:59The beard on his chin was as white as the snow
0:02:59 > 0:03:03The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth
0:03:03 > 0:03:07And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath
0:03:07 > 0:03:09He had a broad face and a little round belly
0:03:09 > 0:03:13That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly
0:03:13 > 0:03:16He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf
0:03:16 > 0:03:19I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself
0:03:19 > 0:03:21A wink of his eye, a twist of his head
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread
0:03:25 > 0:03:27He spoke not a word but went straight to his work
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk
0:03:30 > 0:03:34And laying his finger aside of his nose
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose
0:03:37 > 0:03:40He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Away they all flew, like the down of a thistle
0:03:43 > 0:03:46But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight
0:03:46 > 0:03:48"Happy Christmas to all,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51"And to all a good night!"
0:03:53 > 0:03:55That story was called
0:03:55 > 0:03:57'Twas The Night Before Christmas.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Tonight is the night before Christmas Day.
0:04:00 > 0:04:01Christmas Eve.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04So, it's time for you to go to bed,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07close your eyes and fall asleep,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10so that Father Christmas can visit you
0:04:10 > 0:04:11tonight.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12Have a lovely day tomorrow.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Happy Christmas.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18And, to you, good night.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:04:20 > 0:04:24E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk