'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Submitted by xtramelanin on December 24th, 2020 at 6:05 PM

Mates,

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Big house

Not a fan was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Jimmy soon would be there;

The fans were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of Defense Coordinators 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 pasture 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 I see,

But a miniature sleigh and a new DC,

He promised a defense so lively and quick,

I really hoped this wasn't some schtick.

 

More rapid than eagles his cornerbacks they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! every down we'll be Blitzen!

To the edge of the formation! form up a wall!

Now break up those passes, one and all!"

As Defensive Tackles that before a spread offense fly,

When they meet with an O-line, blast them to the sky;

So up to the housetop the cornerbacks flew

With the sleigh full of DT's, and St. Jimmy, too—

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the peak

The prancing and pawing of each little cleat.

 

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Jimmy came with a bound.

He wore maize and blue, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of recruits he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like rose bowls, his nose like a cherry!

Still lamenting the departure of Don Brown,

Dr. Blitz had done great work, but was asked to leave town;

 

The stump of a pipe Jimmy 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 during games of touch football, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, because he looked a lot like myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke to Warde Manuel and went straight to his work,

Time to beat ohio, that team full of jerks,

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—

“We're going to Beat ohio, and to all a good night!”

 

Merry Christmas everybody.  I hope you are with family and safe.  Share your Christmas Eve plans if you wish. 

XM 

 

 

MGoBoard
Football

Naked Bootlegger

December 24th, 2020 at 6:08 PM ^

Bravo.   The merriest of Xmas to you and your family, XM.   Looks like you're getting some nice lake effect snow to usher in the holidays.  

Also, please start working on the 2021 version of Twas the Night Before Xmas, Ann Arbor Version ASAP.

Joined: 01/28/2011

MGoPoints: 34714

crg

December 24th, 2020 at 6:33 PM ^

Knew this was XM before clicking...

Now, let's address the reason why all is quiet on this Christmas Eve night: no college bball games because the Big Ten scheduled them all for Christmas day instead.

Joined: 04/30/2015

MGoPoints: 75054

M Go Cue

December 24th, 2020 at 6:33 PM ^

Superb!

Merry Christmas to you XM and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Just finished cooking a spiral ham with a Maple Dijon glaze.  Gonna eat and then ready for some cocktails.

Joined: 07/13/2013

MGoPoints: 3959

UofMedic

December 24th, 2020 at 6:50 PM ^

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

The Mgowife and I are going to rush like hell to get the tree and gifts set up. We both received vaccines this week and for two days have been absolutely cashed by 7 o’clock.

 

Hope everyone gets to enjoy their family and friends, in some way, this weekend. Here’s to better things in 2021! 

Joined: 11/01/2011

MGoPoints: 1077

JacquesStrappe

December 24th, 2020 at 7:11 PM ^

Hope next year's version goes like this:

"And as our backs struggled for a yard or three,

but suddenly out of nowhere our slot broke free

A glorious RPO it was,

suddenly the ball spun out of the QB's hands with some fuzz

McNamara had slung it and CJ's block had sprung it,

Soon Bell was tearing down the middle taking flight,

OSU was learning we would put up a fight

A stiff arm, a juke, a glorious spin,

somehow Bell had avoided Scarlett defenders and scampered in.

A touchdown, a win, and the end of the curse,

for once in a long while the Wolverines finally could smile

They had beaten Ohio

As the Bucks seethed with spite, Michigan fans could finally delight

And to the win streak of Ohio, good night!"

Season's greetings and a happy and healthy holidays to all!

Joined: 04/19/2019

MGoPoints: 4994

rob f

December 24th, 2020 at 7:29 PM ^

Other than the one part that scares me ( "blitzen"  on every down), very well done, XM.  A very Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family, my friend!

And to everyone in this often dysfunctional MGoFamily on the board, whether it's Christmas, Festivus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve and Day, something else entirely you celebrate (or a combination of some or all of the above) Happy Holidays to all !!!

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 194658

MgoHillbilly

December 24th, 2020 at 7:52 PM ^

A very Merry Christmas to you and your family XM. We got a little bit of snowfall down here tonight. It pales in comparison to there, but it has added something extra special to the holiday for the kids down here.  

 

Joined: 01/04/2017

MGoPoints: 24255

1VaBlue1

December 24th, 2020 at 8:03 PM ^

Nicely done, XM!

We'll be eating cabbage, potatoes, and sausage here in a few minutes.  For tomorrow I have a prime rib soaking in salt waiting for the smoker.  Everyone enjoy the evening, and have a fantastic Christmas Day with a Michigan win!!

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127087

Ibow

December 24th, 2020 at 8:29 PM ^

That was awesome XM! Merry Christmas to you and your family! 
Totally different Christmas for us... kids & grandkids all day today but no extended family stuff tonight or tomorrow. First time ever in 40 years of marriage. Kind of sad but Gail & I are watching Christmas Vacation. It’s all ok... it’s 2020.

Merry Christmas and Go Blue! 

Joined: 04/13/2018

MGoPoints: 4746

San Diego Mick

December 24th, 2020 at 8:36 PM ^

Nicely done XM, Merry Christmas to you and your family, we usually have everyone over for present swapping but alas, 2020 has had different effects on so many levels, so just a quiet evening and chilling.

Joined: 05/11/2011

MGoPoints: 50644

Mongo

December 24th, 2020 at 9:24 PM ^

And to all a good night!  ? 

Happy Holidays.  No matter what, forever I love The University of Michigan.  

Go Blue !!!

Joined: 06/25/2016

MGoPoints: 9585

The Mad Hatter

December 24th, 2020 at 9:57 PM ^

Merry Christmas everyone. And well done XM!

I'm working on 3rd dinner atm. Mrs. Hatter made some sort of shrimp pasta with heavy cream and cheese and I can't get enough of it.

 

Joined: 02/17/2015

MGoPoints: 112109

AlbanyBlue

December 24th, 2020 at 10:33 PM ^

Merry Christmas, XM, to you and your family. And to all the MGoBloggers, enjoy the holiday!!

POSBANG for everyone, and to all a good night!! Let's beat Nebrasketball tomorrow!!

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 22040

JimmyBeGood

December 24th, 2020 at 10:35 PM ^

Well done mate! Wish I was coming up with some plans for your little guys on the yearly trek to A2, but alas it will have to wait a bit. Give heartfelt greetings to the whole family.

Joined: 08/05/2019

MGoPoints: 1143

LSAClassOf2000

December 24th, 2020 at 10:46 PM ^

Hopefully in 2021, we can gather with considerably less fuss at some point and then sit around in stunned silence as we try to recall what this was actually like. 

Until then, myself, the family and the menagerie of non-human critters - even the Nicaraguan boa, our resident asshole - wish you a Happy Christmas and excellent New Year. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130632

stephenrjking

December 24th, 2020 at 10:48 PM ^

Merry Christmas, friends.

With my wife’s family at Black Lake Conference Center. We have the place to ourselves, it’s great.

More than any other in my lifetime, this is a year we need hope. And so it is. My Twitter thread this evening for those inclined. God bless you all.

https://twitter.com/stephenrjking/status/1342301698128273408?s=21

 

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143887

Indy Pete - Go Blue

December 25th, 2020 at 12:29 AM ^

Thanks XM - witty, festive, and fun!  We enjoyed a restful and good day of games, food, laughter and celebration with my bride and our 4 kids. Everyone enjoys the company of each other / with some pervasive sibling bickering of course. Everyone is asleep now and some snow flakes are starting to fall outside. Christmas Eve as a parent is not quite as exciting as it was as a kid, but it is far richer. Remembering our Lord provides more joy and hope every year - and that hope is a strong anchor for the soul. God bless and Merry Christmas to all!

Joined: 01/23/2018

MGoPoints: 157177

IDKaGoodName

December 25th, 2020 at 2:07 AM ^

Perhaps I’ll be the final post in this thread...wife and I tackled the task of wrapping all the presents and writing in a journal we started for our daughter when she was born. We write in it every year on Christmas Eve and just talk about her progress, what happened that year, and remind her how proud we are. She’s 3.5 and the plan is to give it to her on her 18th birthday. Wife watched Santa Clause 2 and 3 cuz she felt inclined to get to the bottom of the Scott Calvin saga. She passed out during 3. I’m finishing a drink, taking a toke, and probably shuffling the wife from couch to bed shortly. For the moment, soaking up the ambiance of Christmas lights, a silent house, and a special day for my youngin just around the corner. For a minute, just being here in the moment. Not worrying about work or the fact that I have to go in for a surgery Saturday (damnit), one of wife’s gifts not getting here on time, bills, sleep, whatever. It’s a rarity we get to stop and smell the roses. Tonight, right now, I’m taking the time. Cheers to this blog and it’s patrons, and cheers to University of Michigan. The best fucking university known across any multiverse. Best wishes of love and happiness to all.

Joined: 12/17/2018

MGoPoints: 7378

Davy Found

December 25th, 2020 at 5:20 AM ^

Strong work XM, and this post is awesome IDK - sums up things for me, too. Love the idea of that book for your daughter! What a precious gift... and also meaningful for you and your wife to write in it each year. May borrow that idea for my 2.5 year old son. 2 AM here in L.A. and I just finished wrapping gifts. Tree and lights look nice. Last year my son was too young to really understand what was happening on Christmas, but I'm excited for him to come out of his room in the morning and see all the presents. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the MGoBlog fam!

Joined: 12/07/2017

MGoPoints: 3883