Christmas Eve: a night for stories

Every holiday song and movie magnifies the magic

So simple. So profound.

Every Christmas Eve the story is retold.

This is the night for storytelling. The night for spirits and angels and reindeer on the roof. The night for wide eyes and wonder, for children and shepherds, for stars and stockings, for praying and believing.

The most magical night of all. A night so many writers have captured in story and in song:

'Twas the night before Christmas.

O come, all ye faithful.

O come, o come, Emmanuel.

Prince of Peace.

Peace on earth, goodwill toward all.

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.

It's Christmas Eve. It's the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more.

All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin, mother and child.

What child is this?

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

You've been given a great gift, George: The chance to see what the world would be like without you.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

You were just a little girl in a flannel night gown. And you were shoveling snow from the walk in front of our house. And I was the snow, I was the snow. And everywhere it landed and everywhere it covered. You scoop me up with a big red shovel. You scoop me up.

Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.

For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

This is Christmas. The season of perpetual hope.

If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love, actually, is all around.

The children were nestled all snug in their wee little beds.

I believe, I believe, it’s silly, but I believe.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.

Bumbles bounce!

Santa Claus is coming to town.

A simple act of kindness always sparks another.

This is a simple gift, Walt…Don’t make it complicated.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.

Joy to the world.

And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor.

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.

How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.

You really did have a wonderful life.

Nobody sees Santa Claus but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.

Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!

Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.

Angels we have heard on high.

No Santa Claus? Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel. I am as merry as a school-boy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody!

Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.

God bless us, everyone.

And on earth, peace.

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night.