'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Wayne Manor,
Not a sound could be heard —especially not laughter.
There were no stockings hung, and no tree filled with lights.
Not a single Christmas decoration in sight.
Master Bruce, in his costume, and I, in my robe,
Were up late, on the lookout, for evils unknown.
I missed Christmas, but he said he didn't have time.
Not at all, ever since the tender age of nine.
It saddened me, watching him year after year,
Never taking in joy — only dealing out fear.
"I say, Sir," I pleaded with all of my might,
"Master Grayson is having a party tonight.
Master Drake and Ms. Gordon are sure to be there.
Why not leave this bleak cave and enjoy some fresh air?"
"I've outgrown Christmas, Alfred," he answered each year.
"You can go if you want to, but I'm needed here."
I sighed and walked upstairs to turn off the lights.
"Merry Christmas," I said. His reply was, "Good night."
I walked up to my bedroom, got under my sheets,
And prepared to drift off into sweet, peaceful sleep.
Suddenly, a noise woke me up with such a clatter,
I ran to my window for more on the matter!
And what should my wandering eyes happen to find,
But a man in a sleigh with eight reinde– no, nine!
I was off to tell Master Bruce what I had spied;
The fat man in the sleigh was in for a surprise!
But it was my surprise; he had beaten me there!
Just how fast was this man who could sled through the air?
"Who are you?!" Master Bruce yelled, demanding to know.
The fat man's belly shook as he laughed, "Ho ho ho!
Don't you know?" he asked, giving his heels a click.
"Santa Claus! Father Christmas! Kris Kringle! St. Nick!"
The Batman moved slowly, not wanting to harm him.
"Right. Santa. Let me take you back home to Arkham."
But the man disappeared! He was gone in a flash!
Leaving only some traces of old soot and ash.
Suddenly he was back, just as soon as he'd left!
This man was indeed quite fast, in spite of his heft!
"I've come here in peace," said the man. "Have no fear.
The Batman said, "Then explain to me why you've come here."
The jolly man laughed, "Christmastime is at hand!
I bring gifts of joy to everyone in the land!
The good people come to me with their requests
For their hearts desire, and...I do my best."
"I need and want nothing from you," the Batman said.
"Go and take to the streets of Gotham with your sled."
The man in red snickered and gave him a wink.
"The person I'm here for is not who you think.
I've no gift for you, though you've done much good, 'tis true;
But the present I'm bringing tonight, well, is you."
"For when it comes to Christmas, you just disappear.
And you leave behind all of the friends you hold dear."
Bruce said, "Hold on a minute now, that isn't true.
I give plenty of presents at Christmas, I do.
Gifts of cash, food, drink, clothes, anything I can find.
So then how can you say that I leave them behind?"
"Giving gifts is something for which you've had a knack,
But the spirit of Christmas is still what you lack.
Your gifts are all sent — none given face to face.
And you've never even accepted an embrace.
If you're given a gift, you just turn it away—
Denying your friends what their hearts want to say!"
"They know all of my feelings, and they all know mine;
Gifts are simply a symbol for which I've no time."
"Well, Christmas is a time for which, I've always felt,
Allowing others in! Let your defenses melt!"
"My defenses are FINE," Batman furrowed his brow.
"It's just a sign of weakness to let them go down."
Santa sighed, "I have never, as long as I've lived,
Had to teach, 'Tis better to receive than to give'!
I came here to open up your heart and your mind.
You're determined to keep them both closed up, I find.
"You're just too filled with anger and pain and regret,
Probably about both of your parents, I bet.
You'd tell them you love them if you could somehow,
Just like all of your friends want to tell you right now!
"Oh, the gift of allowing love to be expressed
Is one of the greatest gifts that one can get.
For the past is behind us; the future, unknown.
And the moment is all that we have to call home.
"And so, now I leave you, with this to think on."
And with that, this Saint Nicholas fellow was gone.
The master was silent. He was lost in thought.
I wondered if this is what that fat man sought.
"Alfred," he said sharply, giving me a fright.
"You mentioned... something about a party tonight?"
Soon we were dressed and ready and out on our way!
Surely this was a miracle, one had to say!
He had come bearing gifts! And was going inside,
When he stopped to look up, because he had spied...
"That Santa Claus fellow!" I exclaimed in the dark.
Master Bruce simply smiled, looked up, and said, "Thanks, Clark."
And I heard Batman say as he walked out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all... Well, at least for tonight."
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