[SOUND OF A DRUM] [SOUND OF A TRIANGLE MIXED WITH THE SOUND OF A DRUM] [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Sing we now of Christmas ♪ ♪ noel, sing we here!

♪ ♪ Hear our grateful praises ♪ ♪ to the babe so dear.

♪ ♪ Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!

♪ ♪ Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!

♪ ♪ Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!

♪ [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Angels called to shepherds, "Leave your flocks at rest, ♪ ♪ journey forth to Bethlehem, find the child so blest."

♪ ♪ Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!

♪ ♪ Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!

♪ ♪ Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!

♪ [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ In Bethlehem they found him; ♪ ♪ Joseph and Mary mild, seated by the manger, ♪ ♪ watching the holy child.

O sing we Noel, ♪ ♪ the King is born, Noel!

Sing we Noel, ♪ ♪ the King is born, Noel!

Sing we now of Christmas, ♪ ♪ sing we now Noel!

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ From the eastern country came the kings afar, ♪ ♪ bearing gifts to Bethlehem guided by a star.

♪ ♪ Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!

♪ ♪ Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!

♪ ♪ Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!

♪ [TRUMPETS AND ORCHESTRA] ♪ Ah!

Ah!

Ah!

♪ ♪ Ah!

♪ ♪ Sing we Noel, ♪ ♪ the King is born, Noel!

Sing we Noel, ♪ ♪ the King is born, Noel!

Sing we now of Christmas, ♪ ♪ Sing we now of Christmas, sing Noel, ♪ ♪ sing Noel, Noel, sing Noel.

Noel, Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel, Noel!

Sing Noel!

♪ ♪ Noel, Noel!

♪ [APPLAUSE] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING] [ORCHESTRA AND BELLS] ♪ Shepherds, rise look up and see ♪ ♪ New light yonder breaking, brighter than the noonday sun, ♪ ♪ All your sheep awaking.

Wonder, whisper, ♪ ♪ "Ah, Noe!"

Christ is born ♪ ♪ this holy day!

He is come to you, ♪ ♪ Lowly shepherds true!

He is come unto you; ♪ ♪ He is come unto you, Morning star and New Day!

♪ ♪ Wonder, whisper, "Ah, Noe!"

♪ [ORCHESTRA AND BELLS] ♪ Shepherds, turn your eyes and see ♪ ♪ In the manger, sleeping, Prince of Peace ♪ ♪ and Heav’nly King, In His mother’s keeping.

♪ ♪ Worship Him who brings Noe!

♪ ♪ He who turns the night to day!

♪ ♪ He is come to you, Lowly shepherds, true!

♪ ♪ He is come unto you; He is come unto you, ♪ ♪ Morning Star and New Day!

Worship Him who brings Noe!

♪ [ORCHESTRA AND BELLS] ♪ Shepherds, look about and see ♪ ♪ In the darkness pining All God’s children ♪ ♪ long to hear of the new light shining.

♪ ♪ Witness of the true Noe!

Share glad tidings of this day!

♪ ♪ He is come to you, Lowly shepherds, true!

♪ ♪ He is come unto you; He is come unto you, ♪ ♪ Morning Star and New Day!

Witness of the true Noe!

♪ ♪ NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

♪ ♪ Shepherds, run to us and see Here we are awaiting thee.

♪ ♪ Let your voices ring for ‘aye Christ is born!

♪ ♪ NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

♪ ♪ NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

NOE!

♪ [APPLAUSE] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] Ladies and gentlemen, from Broadway, concert halls, and television, please welcome Mr. Michael Maliakel.

[APPLAUSE] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Joy to the world, the Lord is come; ♪ ♪ Let earth receive her King.

♪ ♪ Let ev’ry heart prepare him room, ♪ ♪ -And heav’n and ♪ -nature sing, And -And heav’n and nature ♪ ♪ -heav’n and nature sing, And - And heav’n and nature ♪ ♪ - heav’n and heav’n -sing, ♪ ♪ and nature sing.

♪ ♪ Joy to the world, the Savior reigns, ♪ ♪ let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, ♪ ♪ rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, ♪ ♪ repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding ♪ ♪ -joy.

-Joy to the ♪ ♪ -Joy to the world, -world, Joy to the ♪ ♪ -Joy to the world.

-world.

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ He rules the world with truth and grace, ♪ ♪ and makes the nations prove.

The glories of His ♪ ♪ righteousness.

And wonders of ♪ ♪ - His love.

- And wonders of ♪ ♪ -And wonders of - His love.

♪ ♪ - of His love.

And wonders -And wonders of His love.

♪ ♪ wonders of His love.

♪ [APPLAUSE] Thank you, thank you, thank you so much and Merry Christmas.

It is such a thrill to be here.

I am here first and foremost as a big, big fan of this choir right here.

One of the greatest in the world.

I have watched them on TV and listened to their recordings for as long as I can remember, and so to get to stand here right now and perform with them is absolutely a dream come true.

I grew up singing in the church choir.

I fell in love with music through that.

My mom, when I was eight years old, signed me up, and ever since then I haven't looked back.

Like so many of you I bet, many of my favorite childhood memories are from Christmas time, and they're the kind of memories that my wife and I are hoping to create with our own family now.

We are pretty fresh to the parenting game.

We have an 18-month-old daughter at home, and one thing I know for certain, our Christmases will always be filled with music.

So my first job ever, actually, was as the cantor at my church.

So I would sing for weddings and baptisms and, of course, Christmas services.

And ever since then, this next carol has been one of my absolute favorites, one of my mom's absolute favorites.

It's simple, it's quiet, it's timeless, and I'm so grateful to get to share it with you tonight.

[GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, ♪ ♪ How Jesus, the Savior did come for to die ♪ ♪ For poor on’ry people like you and like I, ♪ ♪ I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

♪ ♪ When Mary birthed Jesus, ‘twas in a cow’s stall, ♪ ♪ With wisemen and farmers and shepherd’s and all.

♪ ♪ But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall, ♪ ♪ and the promise of ages it then did recall.

♪ [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, ♪ ♪ A star in the sky or a bird on the wing, ♪ ♪ Or all of God’s angels in heav’n for to sing, ♪ ♪ He surely could have it, ‘cause He was the king.

♪ ♪ He surely could have it, ‘cause He was the king.

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, ♪ ♪ How Jesus, the Savior did come for to die ♪ ♪ For poor on’ry people like you and like I, ♪ ♪ I wonder as I wander out under the sky ♪ ♪ Out under the sky, ♪ ♪ out under the sky, ♪ ♪ the sky.

♪ [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING] ♪ From heav’n on high I come to you ♪ ♪ I bring you joyful news and true ♪ ♪ The joyful news I bring this day ♪ ♪ I now shall sing and I shall say.

♪ [TRUMPETS AND ORCHESTRA] ♪ Praise God upon his heav’nly throne ♪ ♪ Who now has sent his only Son ♪ [TRUMPETS AND ORCHESTRA] ♪ The angels greet us with good cheer ♪ [TRUMPETS AND ORCHESTRA] ♪ And sing us all A bright new year ♪ ♪ The angels greet ♪ ♪ us with good cheer and sing us all a bright new year ♪ ♪ sing us, sing us all a bright new year ♪ ♪ The angels greet us with good cheer ♪ ♪ and sing us all a bright new year ♪ ♪ and sing us all a bright new year.

♪ [TRUMPETS AND ORCHESTRA] [TRUMPETS AND ORCHESTRA] [APPLAUSE] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome back Michael Maliakel.

[APPLAUSE AND ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ It’s beginning to look a lot like ♪ ♪ Christmas ev’rywhere you go.

♪ ♪ Take a look at the five and ten, glistening once again, ♪ ♪ With candy canes and silver lanes a-glow.

♪ ♪ It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, ♪ ♪ toys in ev’ry store.

But the prettiest sight to see ♪ ♪ is the holly that will be on your own ♪ ♪ front door.

♪ ♪ A pair of hop-a-long boots and a pistol that shoots ♪ ♪ is the wish of Barney and Ben.

♪ ♪ Dolls that will talk and will go for ♪ ♪ a walk is the hope of Janice and Jen.

And mom and dad ♪ ♪ can hardly wait for school to start again.

♪ ♪ It’s beginning to look a lot ♪ ♪ like Christmas ev’rywhere you go.

♪ ♪ -There’s a tree in the Grand Hotel, ♪ ♪ one in the park as well, ♪ ♪ the sturdy kind that doesn’t mind the snow.

♪ ♪ It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, soon the bells ♪ ♪ will start, And the thing that’ll ♪ ♪ make ‘em ring is the carol that ♪ ♪ you sing right within your heart.

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ It’s beginning to look a lot ♪ ♪ like Christmas, toys in ev’ry store.

♪ ♪ But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be ♪ ♪ On your own front door.

♪ ♪ Sure, it’s Christmas once more.

♪ [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart ♪ ♪ be light.

From now on our troubles will be out of sight.

♪ ♪ Have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the ♪ ♪ yuletide gay.

From now on ♪ ♪ our troubles will be miles away.

♪ ♪ Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore; ♪ ♪ Faithful friends who are dear to ♪ ♪ us, gather near to us once more.

♪ ♪ Through the years we all will ♪ ♪ be together, if the fates allow, ♪ ♪ Hang a shining star upon the ♪ ♪ highest bough, and have yourself ♪ ♪ a merry little Christmas now.

♪ ♪ Here we are as in olden days, ♪ ♪ happy golden days of yore, faithful friends who are dear ♪ ♪ to us, gather near to us once more, for Christmas once more ♪ ♪ Through the years we all will be together, if the fates ♪ ♪ allow, hang a shining star upon the highest bough, ♪ ♪ allow, hang a shining star upon the highest bough, ♪ ♪ And have yourself a merry little Christmas now ♪ ♪ And have yourself a merry little Christmas now ♪ ♪ Merry Christmas now!

♪ [APPLAUSE] [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Still, still, still, The child’s eyes ♪ ♪ softly close.

And Mary breathless ♪ ♪ draws Him, weeping, To her heart made ♪ ♪ pure for keeping.

Still, still, still, ♪ ♪ His bright eyes softly close.

♪ ♪ Sleep, sleep, sleep, He breathes a ♪ ♪ tender sigh, For soon He’ll ♪ ♪ wake the world from slumber, ♪ ♪ Bringing life and endless wonder, ♪ ♪ Sleep, sleep, sleep.

He breathes a tender sigh.

♪ ♪ Sleep, sleep, sleep.

He breathes a tender sigh.

♪ ♪ Sleep, sleep, sleep, O sleep.

♪ ♪ Sleep, baby sleep.

♪ ♪ Sleep, baby sleep.

♪ [GLOCKENSPIEL AND HARP] ♪ Peace be mine, dear shepherds prayed, ♪ ♪ And kneeling where the Lamb was laid ♪ ♪ kept watch o’er Him all through the night, ♪ ♪ His love endowing them with light; ♪ ♪ Then on to make known to all the world ♪ ♪ good will abroad and glory to God ♪ ♪ who gave His son for us for everyone ♪ ♪ Beloved Son, the Holy One ♪ ♪ who bears me peace.

♪ ♪ Speaks peace, who makes ♪ ♪ Peace, heav’nly Prince of ♪ ♪ Peace.

♪ ♪ Peace.

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] [SINGING IN GERMAN] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] [SINGING IN GERMAN] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] [THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE] [ORGAN AND TRUMPETS FANFARE] [ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING] [ORGAN AND TRUMPETS PLAYING] [ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING] [ORGAN AND TRUMPETS PLAYING] [ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING] [ORGAN AND TRUMPETS PLAYING] [ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING] [ORGAN AND TRUMPETS PLAYING] [ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING] [TRUMPETS PLAYING] [ORGAN AND TRUMPETS PLAYING] [APPLAUSE] [STRONG ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for the glorious season!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for a happy new year!

♪ ♪ Sing verily, merrily, loud and strong!

♪ ♪ Welcome the wintery season!

Just follow along with a ♪ ♪ holiday song.

Santa is here again.

YES!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for the glorious season!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for a happy new year!

♪ ♪ Now reindeer fly, if you need ♪ ♪ any proof, s’merely a matter of ♪ ♪ reason.

Just listen, you'll hear when ♪ ♪ they land on the roof Santa is here again.

YES!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for the glorious season!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for a happy new year!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for the obvious reason!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ It’s a magical, lyrical, annual, miracle, ♪ ♪ sing it out loud!

Sing a song for a happy new year!

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Sing verily, merrily, loud and strong!

♪ ♪ Welcome the wintery season!

Just follow along ♪ ♪ with a holiday song.

Santa is here again.

YES!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for the glorious season!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for a happy new year!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ Sing a song for the obvious reason!

♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

♪ ♪ It’s a magical, lyrical, annual, miracle, ♪ ♪ sing it out loud!

Sing a song for a ♪ ♪ happy new year.

YES!

♪ [APPLAUSE] [CHIMES] I think you'll all probably agree with me that there's no time quite like Christmas time to bring people together.

And sadly, we know that across the world there are so many yearning to be included in their families and communities.

In his novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Victor Hugo painted an unforgettable picture of people who find themselves cast out.

Some are poor in body, but many more suffer a deep hunger in their souls, which reminds us that the real meaning of Christmas is love and the greatest joy of the season is opening our hearts to all God's children.

This song is a prayer for them, whoever they are and whatever they may need.

[ORGAN MUSIC AND CHIMES PLAYING] ♪ I don't know if you can hear me, or if you're even there.

♪ ♪ I don't know if you will listen to a humble prayer.

♪ ♪ Yes, I know I’m just an ♪ ♪ outcast I shouldn't speak to you.

♪ ♪ Still, I see your face and wonder, ♪ ♪ were you once an outcast, too?

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ God help the outcasts, hungry from birth.

♪ ♪ Show them the mercy they don't find on earth.

♪ ♪ God help my people, they look to you still.

♪ ♪ God help the outcasts, or nobody will.

♪ ♪ -We ask for wealth.

We ask for fame.

♪ ♪ We ask for glory to shine on our name.

♪ ♪ We ask for love we can possess.

♪ ♪ We ask for God and His angels to bless us.

♪ ♪ I ask for nothing, I can get by.

♪ ♪ But I know so many less lucky than I.

♪ ♪ Please help my people, the poor and down trod.

♪ ♪ I thought we all were the children of God.

♪ ♪ God help the outcasts ♪ ♪ children of God.

♪ ♪ children of God.

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Children of God.

♪ [APPLAUSE] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome award-winning star of television, stage, and screen, Miss Lesley Nicol.

[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC AND APPLAUSE] [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC AND APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] I finally made it upstairs.

[LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE] Woo!

Now, if any of you didn't understand that I'm the cook in "Downton Abbey" and I spend most of my time downstairs in the kitchen.

Now you see, my friend, Hugh Bonneville, told me that this place makes Downton Abbey look like a tool shed.

Well, he wasn't wrong, was he?

Now, I am honored to be with you tonight and with this marvelous choir and orchestra.

Now, obviously, I'm not really a cook.

I mean, I'm just one on television, but I do love Christmas, and I love people, and I love family.

See, when the choir asked me to join them in this concert, I called my brother, who is a doctor in South Carolina, and he said, "I've watched the choir's Christmas program for years, and I've tried and tried to get tickets.

It's impossible!"

Sound familiar?

Well, my darling brother Philip, you're here at last, my love.

And I'm so grateful you are.

[APPLAUSE] And to each of you, welcome!

We're all family now.

Now, speaking of family, this evening, we have a very special story to share with you.

It's about family—the family into which we're born, and also the family that forms around us as we love and serve one another at Christmas time.

[GENTLE PIANO MUSIC PLAYING] Aaaaggggh!

Ooh.

This is Victor Hugo.

In 1817, the prestigious Academie Francaise awarded one of his poems Honorable Mention, although the judges could not believe it was written by a 15-year-old boy.

At 16, he was secretly engaged to his childhood friend Adèle Foucher.

Victor, everything all right?

Dear?

At 17, he and his brothers published a magazine, and at the age of 20 he was married and began a family.

Five children in seven years, though one died soon after birth.

Oh, Victor loved his children.

He made them toys, told them stories, and he left little drawings on their pillows.

To his youngest daughter he once wrote, "Here are two kisses, my Dédé.

And a third for your mother."

And to his son, "I love you.

I love you deeply, my little toto.

Nothing I see distracts me from you."

Victor believed that all children come directly from God and regarded them with reverence.

Indeed, children often featured prominently in his books, poems, and plays, and there were plenty of them.

When he took his last breath at the age of 83, he left behind over 50 published works, but nothing rivaled what he was writing here in the British Isles on the Isle of Guernsey.

For six years, Victor had overseen the renovation of the only house he ever owned, Hauteville House, a stately mansion overlooking Saint Peter Port.

Here he lived with Adèle.

Victor, I'm off to town.

And three of their grown children: Charles.

Francois Victor.

Dédé.

What?

I'm going.

Go well, mama!

Au revoir.

Je t‘aime!

Oui, maman.

Au revoir!

[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING] Atop the opulent drawing rooms and richly paneled libraries was Victor's lookout.

From there he could see the bay, Castle Cornet, and the endless sea.

But even with that view to inspire him, the writing was not always easy.

Mrs. Sixty, refreshments s'il vous plait.

-Coming.

Now that is Mrs. Sixty Hugo's devoted cook.

Her real name was Marie Comeaux, but they called her... Mrs. Sixty!

Rescue me!

I'm coming.

[DISTANT BELLS TOLL] In town, Mrs. Hugo was used to passing all kinds of people on the street.

But that morning what she saw touched her deeply.

There, standing in the sunlight, was a five-year-old girl with an even younger child on her hip.

The older one was weeping with the pain of holding a toddler nearly half her size.

The younger one crying out for her absent mother.

Two little waifs, no coats, no shoes, and not a soul to look after them.

Oh, Victor, I cannot get their faces from my mind.

Well, my dear, the light of conscience is not easily put out.

I can only imagine our own children standing there all alone in the street, with nothing to eat and nowhere to go.

So what will you do about it?

Do?

I don't know.

I don't know what is possible.

But Adèle could not erase the image of those children from her mind.

Soon she was writing to newspapers to raise money for a creche or, as we would say today, daycare.

She also organized a bazaar, but because the amount she collected was not enough, she donated it to charity.

Meanwhile, Victor was at work on his own project, the novel we know as "Les Miserables."

He too had been influenced by poor children.

The book's pages are filled with urchins and beggars.

Brave little Gavroche.

The noble Éponine.

And of course, dear Cosette.

All of them children, all in terrible need.

By the time "Les Miserables" was published in 1862, Victor had become clear in his mind about what he termed "the rights of the child."

Those rights included proper nutrition, as outlined in a medical report that captured Victor's attention.

Here, Adèle.

Listen to this.

Many childhood diseases may be prevented if not overcome by a monthly meal of fresh meat.

Oh, interesting.

Between Adèle's encounter in town, Victor's work on his novel, and their growing desire to help impoverished children, Victor and Adèle were inspired to act.

But not everyone agreed with their plan.

-Attention à tous!

Monsieur Hugo and I have determined that Monday next eight children, some of the poorest on the island, will dine with us here at Hauteville House.

What, mother?

Here in our home.

I understand showing a little kindness, but inviting them here in our house where we live, I can't imagine.

Charles, dear, Don't think that way.

This is an opportunity to give more than money.

It is to give of ourselves.

And we have so much to give.

Oui, oui.

Fantastic.

Father, please, I beg you, be reasonable.

Think of the implications.

And Mrs. Sixty, I want to serve them the finest meat.

You are?

The children?

You heard me.

Only the best cuts now.

No scraps!

Yeah.

All right.

Soon dinners were being held weekly.

At first, the Hugos invited eight children along with a few mothers, then 15, then 32.

Victor was already devoted to children, but now he was surrounded by them.

-Un, deux, trois!

Mrs. Sixty, a few guidelines.

The table shall be open to all nationalities, and the nominations give to all.

And for the vacant places at the meals, admit the poorest children first.

Yes, I have it.

And Mrs. Sixty.

I want to collect baby linens for the women.

Baby linens?

Whatever for?

For the mothers who are great with child.

Baby linens, as Adèle called them, were actually swaddling clothes.

Because of Hugo's generosity, hundreds of babies were safely wrapped, each one a reminder of the Christ child.

So when the Hugos announced that they were holding a grand Christmas feast, no one was surprised.

But the feast was not just for children.

Victor also invited journalists, priests, artists, and others of influence from England and France.

[GLASS TINKLING] Dear friends, what we are doing here is ... well, all of us have a responsibility to do.

So, we invite you to join us.

Indeed.

Come, help, serve.

A few looked on cynically wondering if the Hugos were simply promoting themselves, but the majority felt otherwise and recorded their experiences.

The children are escorted to the doors by their mothers.

They enter happily, without shyness, as if it were their own home.

Yes, yes.

And though they are wretched, the Hugos receive them with open arms.

In the billiard room, gifts of clothing are laid out on the table.

And they have a Christmas tree decorated with toys and presents just for them.

Then, in a silence that is astonishing considering that there are 40 children, Monsieur Hugo addresses them.

My dear children, you are my little brothers and sisters in the good Lord.

You do not owe me anything but you should be grateful to God above, the Father of us all.

So if you want to thank somebody for it, it should be Him.

After the eldest child offered prayer, all partook of Mrs. Sixty's marvelous cooking, gratefully and joyfully.

But they devoured more than food.

They feasted on love.

[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] [CHOIR SINGING IN FRENCH] ♪ He is born unto all ♪ ♪ God’s kin, meek and poor and suff’ring children.

♪ ♪ Open wide the crowded inn, let the feast of love begin!

♪ ♪ He is born, the divine Christ Child, sound the ♪ ♪ flute and bagpipes joyfully!

♪ ♪ He is born, holy child of light ♪ ♪ Sing him praise this Christmas night!

♪ In time, fully one third of the Hugo's weekly household budget was used to pay for the dinners, and everyone in the house was engaged in hosting them.

What inspired this sacrifice?

From his lookout, Victor frequently felt something move him.

Something beyond himself.

With all the wave's vast foam, and all the sky's great clouds under my window, my thoughts are loosed by this giant swaying of the infinite.

What is not swayed is my soul, face to face with eternity, and my conscience, face to face with truth.

That truth came by way of an inner light.

What Victor knew as his conscience, prompting him to love others.

But for him, love had to be more than warmth of heart.

Three days before he died, he penned these immortal words: "Aimer, c'est agir" "Aimer, c'est agir."

To love is to act.

It is a golden thread running through all Victor's work, especially in "Les Miserables."

Many characters love so deeply that they sacrifice to help others and even save them.

And Jean Valjean, seeking to love everyone, spares his enemy, rescues the boy he once resented, and risks all to bring him home.

For seven more years, week in, week out, children and adults gathered at Hauteville House for dinner and the annual Christmas feast.

It came from varied cultures, religious denominations, and political persuasions.

In response to the Hugo's example, similar efforts were organized in Great Britain, the United States, and many other lands.

All of this was Victor's intention.

Has not the Lord said, suffer the children to come unto me?

It is my desire that this invitation be universally accepted.

What we are doing is not a big thing.

It is a weekly meal for needy children.

It is not charity.

It is brotherhood.

It sow seeds of human solidarity.

And it makes peace.

- ♪ Come to the manger ♪ -As Victor hoped, when the children came around his table, they ate as one.

Like shepherds at the manger, they found there was room for everyone.

♪ Come to him, Worship him, ♪ ♪ Follow him faithfully Round his sweet head ♪ ♪ we are one you and me.

♪ "To love is to act," Victor Hugo said.

When we do, we are not content to remain at a distance.

We joyfully open our hearts, our hands, and even our homes.

The courage we need to do that comes from the light in the manger, the Child born unto all of us.

Filled with His love, we know each other as the brothers and sisters we are.

In loving, serving, and embracing God's family, we discover the greatest Christmas gift of all— to see in one another the face of the Holy Child, even the face of God.

[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING] ♪ Children of nations who hunger for peace on earth, ♪ ♪ Feast on the promise of his wondrous birth.

♪ ♪ Come to Him, Worship Him, ♪ ♪ Follow Him joyfully, By His great love we are one family.

♪ ♪ Come to thee, Worship thee, ♪ ♪ Follow thee joyfully By thy great love ♪ ♪ we are one family.

♪ ♪ we are one family.

♪ ♪ Family.

♪ [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ O little one sweet, O little one mild.

♪ ♪ Thy Father’s will Thou has fulfilled ♪ ♪ Thou cam’st from heav’n To dwell below ♪ ♪ To share the joys and tears we know, ♪ ♪ O little one sweet, O little one mild.

♪ [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ O little one sweet, O little one mild.

♪ ♪ With joy thou hast the whole world filled ♪ ♪ Thou camest here from heav’n’s domain, ♪ ♪ to bring all comfort in our pain ♪ ♪ O little one sweet, O little one mild.

♪ [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ O little one sweet, O little one mild.

♪ ♪ In thee, love’s beauties are distilled ♪ ♪ Then light in us thy love’s bright flame, ♪ ♪ that we may give thee back the same, ♪ ♪ O little one sweet, O little one mild.

♪ [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ O little one sweet, O little one mild.

♪ ♪ O little one sweet, O little one mild.

♪ [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] [GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.

To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you.

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

[GENTLE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] ♪ Angels from the realms of glory ♪ ♪ Wing your flight o’er all the earth ♪ ♪ Ye who sang Creation’s story ♪ ♪ Now proclaim Messiah’s birth ♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo, ♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo.

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING] ♪ Shepherds in the field abiding ♪ ♪ Watching o’er your flock by night ♪ ♪ God with man is now residing ♪ ♪ Yonder shines the Infant Light ♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo.

♪ ♪ Sages leave your contemplations, ♪ ♪ Brighter visions beam afar.

♪ ♪ Seek the Great Desire of Nations, ♪ ♪ Ye have seen His natal star.

♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo, ♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo.

♪ ♪ Saints before the altar bending, ♪ ♪ Watching long in hope and fear.

♪ ♪ Suddenly the Lord descending ♪ ♪ In His temple shall appear.

♪ ♪ Tho’ an infant now we view Him ♪ ♪ He shall fill His Father’s throne.

♪ ♪ Gather all the nations to Him ♪ ♪ Every knee shall then bow down.

♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo, ♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo, ♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo.

♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo.

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING] ♪ Gloria!

Deo!

♪ [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo, ♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo.

♪ ♪ Gloria in excelsis Deo.

♪ [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING] ♪ Gloria!

Deo!

♪ [APPLAUSE] [Station ID Music]