Experience the wonder of Christmas Eve with Aaron Calafato as he shares a 7MS Cinema Remix of his cherished childhood memories and beloved family traditions, from magical library nights to the anticipation of Santa’s arrival. Settle in as Aaron reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and invites you to relive the joy, hope, and magic that make this night unforgettable.
Sound collaboration with Isaac Gehring
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Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato
Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt
Additional vocals: Cori Birce
Art: Pete Whitehead
Original Music: thomas j. duke
TRANSCRIPT
Aaron Calafato:
It’s December 24th, which means it’s Christmas Eve—my favorite night of the year. Always has been, ever since I was a kid. The magic of tonight, the magic of it all.
I remember, as a little kid, going to the public library with my mom. They had a slideshow of The Polar Express. I sat there in my PJs, watching, completely captivated. Then, above us, on the roof, I heard it—the sound of reindeer and bells. I thought, “Oh my God, I’ve got to get home!”
It’s one of those nights, you know? A lot of people say Christmas is all about December 25th, but I’ve got to respectfully disagree. Sure, the morning is great—opening presents is awesome. But after December 25th, it’s December 26th, and honestly, it feels a little depressing. December 25th marks the end of the Christmas celebration for many. But December 24th? December 24th is the night. It’s the culmination of everything—the anticipation you’ve been building for months. At least for me, it’s been two months of celebrating, leading up to this magical night.
This is the night when anything feels possible—when miracles happen, when redemption feels within reach, when new beginnings feel attainable. It’s a night of hope. As a kid, waiting for Santa Claus, that feeling of wonder and possibility was unmatched. And it all happens tonight.
Everyone’s got their traditions, and mine are very particular. As you can tell, I’m pretty intense about Christmas Eve.
One thing I always do is watch It’s a Wonderful Life. I cry every time, but I watch it. Later that night, Cori and I fall asleep to the Pope’s Christmas Eve Mass. It’s calming, peaceful—that’s just what we do.
Before any of that, though, it’s all about the kids. We gather them together, and they each get to open one gift on Christmas Eve—a little appetizer, if you will. After they open their gift, they play with it for a bit, but then it’s time to prepare for Santa. The kids set out cookies and ice-cold milk by the fireplace.
We turn off all the lights except for the Christmas tree, and I read The Night Before Christmas to them. The glow of the tree flickers on their faces, and their eyes are filled with anticipation. It’s the best thing in the world. As soon as I finish the story, we tell them, “You’ve got to get to bed now—Santa won’t come if you’re awake!” They run upstairs, we kiss them goodnight, and then… we hear sounds on the roof.
Since it’s Christmas Eve, I thought I’d read The Night Before Christmas to you. Enjoy.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Read by Aaron Calafato
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Merry Christmas!
