A Visit from St. Nicholas
BY CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

As two seasoned plastic surgeons who have spent decades rejuvenating faces and helping our patients embrace their best selves, we find inspiration in unexpected places—including timeless poetry. This holiday season, we turn to Clement Clarke Moore’s cherished poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas. Widely known by its opening line, ‘‘’Twas the Night Before Christmas,’’ the poem was first published anonymously in 1823 in the Troy, NY Sentinel. Moore publicly claimed authorship in 1837. Written in 1822 for his children, the poem paints a vivid picture of the magic and wonder of Christmas. It’s hard to believe that Moore initially hesitated to publish it, fearing it was too frivolous for a man of his scholarly stature. Yet, this whimsical tale of St. Nicholas has since become a cornerstone of holiday tradition.
Clement Clarke Moore was a professor and scholar known for his work in theology and languages. His reluctance to acknowledge authorship initially stemmed from his concern that the playful nature of the poem might not align with his esteemed academic reputation. Nevertheless, the poem’s enduring charm and universal appeal eventually overshadowed these reservations.
In the poem, St. Nicholas, with his twinkling eyes and merry demeanor, symbolizes joy, generosity, and the importance of nurturing the childlike wonder within us. As we age, it’s easy to lose sight of those qualities amidst the hustle and bustle of life. The imagery of stockings hung by the chimney and the sound of tiny reindeer hooves invites us to pause and embrace the beauty of the present moment.
Who amongst us has not heard this poem hundreds of times as children and not read it to our children and grandchildren? For us, this poem serves as a gentle reminder that the holidays are about more than gifts. They’re a time to reconnect with loved ones, reflect on our blessings, and share a bit of magic—a principle that resonates in our work and personal lives alike.

Dr. Bunkis’ daughter, Jessica, with Santa in 1996.

In the poem, St. Nicholas is described with a “little round belly that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.” While this imagery is endearing for Santa, most of our friends and patients prefer a tight and youthful abdominal wall. As plastic surgeons, we have spent decades helping people achieve a more sculpted and firmer midsection through abdominoplasty.

Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century when surgeons first began combining procedures to remove excess skin and fat while tightening abdominal muscles. Over the decades, advances in surgical techniques have made modern abdominoplasty safer and more effective. Today’s procedure not only addresses loose skin and weakened muscles caused by aging, pregnancy, or weight loss but also creates a more aesthetically pleasing silhouette.

A modern abdominoplasty can help someone look and feel better by restoring a flatter, tighter abdominal contour. For many, the results are transformative, boosting confidence and complementing a healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s repairing the aftermath of significant life changes or simply enhancing one’s appearance, abdominoplasty remains one of the most rewarding surgeries we perform.

Female in her 30’s, shown here with a lax abdominal wall after a few babies, and after an abdominoplasty by Dr. Deborah Ekstrom.

Female in her late 30’s with abdominal laxity following multiple pregnancies, shown here before and 3 months later, at work, after an abdominoplasty by Dr. Juris Bunkis.

We want you to feel as good as you look. We are currently offering free bioidentical hormone pelleting at the time of each facial rejuvenation patient – to allow patients to feel as good as they look after surgery!