We at Alabama Power want to wish our customers a safe and joyous Christmas and holiday season.

We also pause to say thank you to our employees who are willing to sacrifice to make sure the lights stay on.

‘Twas the night before Christmas throughout Alabama,

As families everywhere waited for Santa.

Their Christmas lights twinkled in red, blue and green,

So rooftops and chimneys could easily be seen.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While nightlights cast glows around each little head.

Cookies and milk were put out for good cheer,

Plus carrots for nine hungry flying reindeer.

The stockings were hung on the mantle so pretty,

Stuffed with gadgets that ran on electricity.

The star on the Christmas tree blazed oh so bright,

Awaiting Saint Nick’s special visit tonight.

Then on TV we heard weathermen chatter,

I sprang to the window to see what’s the matter.

Snow, rain and sleet were coming down hard,

A thick coat of white stuff covered the yard.

Just then it went dark, lights were out in a flash,

Lines coated with ice had gone down with a crash.

Our power cut off in this wintry mix,

What could we do to get out of this fix?

Then my wondering eyes caught a wonderful sight,

A red-lettered truck and a driver in white.

He drove past our house and parked up the street,

Where a feeder line lay on the ground at his feet.

A bucket truck followed just moments behind,

To cut down the branch that had broken the line.

More rapid than eagles the linemen appeared,

To solve the one crisis that everyone feared.

“To the top of the tree! To the source of the trouble!”

Said one, adding “We’ll have this fixed on the double!”

They took out their tools, but to guard for the worst,

They put goggles and hard hats on – yes, safety first.

And then, in a twinkling, I saw on the roof,

The lights flicker on in the moment of truth.

The heat was back on, and I thought to myself,

We can now keep our fireplace free for the elf.

Stars again blazed, and the nightlights did shine,

The problem was solved in the Saint Nick of time.

“Now Jimmy! Now Sammie! There’s no time to lose, sir,”

Said the lineman. “There’s a wire down in Tuscaloosa!”

He shook the snow off of his coat and his beard,

Then he turned with a wink as his truck disappeared:

“Alabama Power’s work is done here tonight,

Merry Christmas to all and let there be light!”