‘Twas the night before Christmas,
Things were real quiet,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a pilot.

The watches were posted
They walked all around,
Protecting the planes
That were still on the ground.

When all of a sudden
There arose such a clatter
The watches all ran
To see what was the matter.

FADDO was there,
The SDO too,
All started wondering
Just what to do.

As down swooped a jet
It landed so fine
And started to taxi
Down runway nine.

Out of the cockpit climbed a man
Dressed in red,
You know who he was
Need more be said?

“Twas St. Nick, all right
Making his yearly rounds
Carrying a sack
That weighted quite a few pounds.

He extended his hand
His greeting was cheery
Shedding some happiness
On this night so dreary.

For all of you people
I bring a warm greeting
That I really do think
Is worth repeating.

Merry Christmas to all
May your days be bright
I hope that these tidings
Make you happy tonight.

Then we started to chatter
And he was asked why
He didn’t have his reindeer
To fly in the sky.

I have to be modern
My reindeer are old
They can’t seem to take
All this snow and cold.

My jet is much faster
I really get things done,
Why, you all should know
You fly in one!

And then he took off
In his little jet
He had many more stops
To make this night yet.

But he left behind him
A wealth of good cheer
Was real Merry Christmas
This wonderful year.

LARRY S. GAGNON, YN3