Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, except for a mom. 

The stockings, half-hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that dear Santa soon would be there.

Her kids were unruly, not snug in their beds,

Defying the watchful eye of Elf on the Shelf, Ted, 

While visions of chaos danced in her head,

Mom looked at her list and it filled her with dread.

The cookies not baked, the gifts not yet wrapped,

Mom was exhausted, she never had napped.

Her husband, oblivious, offered no aid,

Leaving her to it, a Christmas crusade.

Expecting a house full of guests to convene,

She fretted and worried, “How can this be?”

When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter,

She sprang from her chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the window, she flew like a flash,

Tore open the curtains, threw up the sash.

The moon on the snow cast a magical light,

Revealing a scene that eased her great plight.

Not Santa himself but a helper indeed,

With a jolly wide smile and a costume of green.

The elf whistled and laughed as she rushed to mom’s side,

Bringing cheer and great aid, all mom’s tasks simplified

“Now, Baking! Now, Wrapping! Now, Cleaning and More!

On, Decorating! On, Cooking! Then let’s clean the floor!

To the top of the list! To the last gift to wrap!

Now dash away! Dash away! Make time for a nap!”

Like leaves in a storm, her chores flew up high,

With the elf’s swift help, she let out a sigh.

Up to the housetop, her tasks they all flew,

She laughed with relief, for her help, it was true.

Then in a twinkling, she heard on the roof’s peak,

The prancing and pacing, a magical streak.

As she turned from her chores and surveyed all around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in red, with a bag at his side,

And he saw the worn-out mom, all frazzled and fried.   

With a wink of his eye, and a nod to her plight,

He brought warmth to her heart on this wintry night.

He spoke not a word, but his actions were clear,

He finished her tasks and removed all her fear.

With a nod and a smile, he finished her list,

Left chocolates and wine he knew she couldn’t resist.

Then he sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But she heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—

“Merry Christmas, dear mom. Relax and enjoy your free night!”