I've had this buried away somewhere for a while, and found it again
here. I read it to my Jr. High Bible class today, and it passed the "that's pretty cool" test. Enjoy.
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD!
By Lalo Guerrero, 1956
Twas the night before the Christmas, and all through the casa,
not a creature was stirring - caramba, que pasa?
Los ninos were all tucked away in their camas,
some in vestidos and some in pijamas.
While mama worked late in our little cocina,
papa had dozed off before the nublina.
The stockings were hung with mucho cuidado,
in hopes that San Nico would feel obligado
To bring all the children, both buenos and malos,
a nice batch of dulces and other regalos.
Outside in the yard there arose such a grito,
that I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked afuera,
and who in the world do you think that it era?
St. Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
came dashing along like a crazy bombero!
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados,
were eight little burros approaching volados.
I watched as they neared, and this quaint little hombre
was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
Ay, Pancho! Ay, Pepe!, Ay, Cuca! Ay, Beto!
Ay, Chato! Ay Chopo! Maruca! y Nieto!
Then standing akimbo with his hands on his pecho,
he flew to the top of our very own techo!
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
he struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea.
Then huffing and puffing, at last in our sala,
with soot smeared all over his red suit de gala
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos,
for none of the ninos had been very malos.
Then chuckling aloud, looking very contento,
he turned like a flash and was gone con el viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all! Feliz Navidad!
Labels: Christmas, fun
