midnight
He took out his watch , and , finding it was close on twelve o'clock , directed the doors to be flung open , that he might hear the great clock in the hall strike the quarters . There was a solemn hush of expectation , that made the sensitive heart of Grace Carden thrill with anticipation . The clock struck the first quarter -- dead silence ; the second -- the third -- dead silence . But , at the fourth , and with the first stroke of midnight , out burst the full organ and fifty voices , with the `` Gloria in excelsis Deo ; '' and , as that divine hymn surged on , the lighters ran along the walls and lighted the eighty candles , and , for the first time , the twelve waxen pillars , so that , as the hymn concluded , the room was in a blaze , and it was Christmas Day . Instantly an enormous punch-bowl was brought to the host . He put his lips to it , and said , `` Friends , neighbors , I wish you all a merry Christmas . '' Then there was a cheer that made the whole house echo ; and , by this time , the tears were running down Grace Carden 's cheeks .