‘Twas the night before Christmas at Sentient Isle of Man,
and the staff were all busy, doing all that they can.
To get ready for Christmas and tie up loose ends,
before enjoying time off with their families and friends.
In Hong Kong and Malta it was exactly the same,
Sam and Alex working towards the same aim.
Client files and folders put away with care,
workloads all finished, 2020 strategies shared.
The office Christmas party all ticked off the list,
a night of fun and laughter, one not to be missed.
Now most of them home, some already in their bed
the Christmas party antics, replaying in their head.
David in his PJ’s, Ben with his nightcap,
Lesley’s brain finally settled for a long winter’s nap.
Phil and John cleaning golf clubs, ready for their next game,
Sharon wrapping presents, Josh driving home to do the same.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
so they all jumped up to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, Steve flew like a flash,
tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When what to their wondering eyes should appear,
just Steven Leach and some disgruntled reindeer.
He wore no red suit and he had no white beard,
though you could say his fashion sense was a bit weird.
He stood there holding a load of toys in a sack,
whilst on the sleigh lay Santa, passed out on his back.
“I was hitchhiking home from a party last night,
when who did I see but Father Christmas in flight.
He drove me from town to my humble abode,
where Lewis jumped out on us, right into the road!”
Now you may not know this, for they didn’t realise,
that our good friend Santa doesn’t like a surprise.
In fact he jumped, screamed and fainted, just like a girl,
So Steven had no choice but to give it a whirl!
“So what happened next?” Paul to Steven did ask.
“Well I knew I was capable of completing his task.
I grabbed hold of the reins – it’s not hard to fly,
and without hesitation I took to the sky!
To deliver the presents across all the land,
to children big and small, I did what he planned!”
He spoke not a word, no questions did he ask,
Steven filled up the stockings and got on with the task.
His boss then did say, ‘Well you deserve a big raise!”
while Steven stood there smiling, showered with praise.
Then the snowflakes got bigger – the start of a blizzard,
with so many presents, still yet to be delivered.
Then all of a sudden, Father Christmas did wake
He went up to Steven and his hand he did shake
“Now me passing out was not part of the plan,
Christmas has been saved all thanks to this man!”
He then sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But they heard him exclaim ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night!”
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Team Sentient. x
