🎄☃Christmastime in the Village — A Gentle Christmas Bedtime Story for Adults

1
00:00:02,070 --> 00:00:07,600
Welcome to The Slow Life.
I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,

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00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,040
narrate, and design the
soundscape of this village of

3
00:00:12,050 --> 00:00:15,800
cozy stories to relax and
unwind.

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00:00:16,850 --> 00:00:20,220
Each week I share an original
story.

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00:00:20,310 --> 00:00:25,360
Read 2 times so you can relax
even more during the second

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00:00:25,370 --> 00:00:29,040
reading.
I'm happy to announce my

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00:00:29,050 --> 00:00:36,250
website, theslowlife.ca.
It provides a space where we can

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00:00:36,260 --> 00:00:40,630
connect and I can bring you all
things cozy.

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00:00:43,050 --> 00:00:47,680
Let's settle in with some easy
breathing at your own pace.

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00:00:48,740 --> 00:00:53,790
With each inhale, let fresh air
fill the space around your

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00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:58,790
heart.
With each exhale, feel the calm

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00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:04,390
air spread through your body and
flow out through your arms and

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00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:09,020
legs, gently in through your
heart.

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00:01:10,960 --> 00:01:21,500
Gently out through your body, in
through your heart, out through

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00:01:21,510 --> 00:01:27,260
your body.
And now let's begin.

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00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:35,870
This story is called Christmas
Time in the Village, and it's

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00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:42,770
about warm socks, the scent of
sweet bread, and joyful plazas

18
00:01:42,860 --> 00:01:49,800
in the afternoon.
Christmas Time in the village

19
00:01:49,870 --> 00:01:54,160
settles over everything, like
the blankets on my bed.

20
00:01:55,780 --> 00:02:00,650
Morning arrives with pale winter
light filtering through my

21
00:02:00,660 --> 00:02:04,640
curtains, coating the room in a
muted glow.

22
00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:10,590
I linger in the warmth for a
while longer than usual,

23
00:02:11,039 --> 00:02:15,970
listening to the quiet that
comes only when snow has fallen

24
00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:20,860
overnight.
The world feels hushed and

25
00:02:20,870 --> 00:02:24,340
nothing and no one is in a hurry
to day.

26
00:02:26,070 --> 00:02:31,620
When I finally rise, the chill
outside nudges me towards a

27
00:02:31,630 --> 00:02:36,260
thicker sweater and knitted
socks from my grandparents.

28
00:02:37,670 --> 00:02:43,240
I head to the kitchen for a warm
cup of something, not caring

29
00:02:43,250 --> 00:02:48,540
what will go in it as long as I
can feel the heat on my palms.

30
00:02:50,340 --> 00:02:54,910
Breathing in the comfort, I
stepped towards the window to

31
00:02:54,920 --> 00:02:58,530
see the village beneath its new
coat of white.

32
00:03:00,390 --> 00:03:04,150
Outside, the rooftops are
rounded with snow.

33
00:03:05,090 --> 00:03:10,440
A few folks crossed the street,
bundled and smiling, leaving

34
00:03:10,450 --> 00:03:16,220
footprints behind.
Wreaths hang on the doors of my

35
00:03:16,230 --> 00:03:20,310
neighbors homes, each decorated
a little differently.

36
00:03:21,110 --> 00:03:25,380
Pine cones on one, red berries
on another.

37
00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:32,280
Tiny silver bells on the necks.
It's Christmas time and the

38
00:03:32,290 --> 00:03:35,370
whole village glows with the
beauty of it.

39
00:03:37,150 --> 00:03:39,660
I'm ready to be in.
Not at all.

40
00:03:39,810 --> 00:03:45,170
So I pull on my coat, scarf and
mittens and step outside.

41
00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,730
The air is bright and cool
against my face.

42
00:03:50,770 --> 00:03:55,960
Snow crunches under my boots as
I head along the street towards

43
00:03:55,970 --> 00:04:01,020
the village centre.
Smoke curls from chimneys and

44
00:04:01,030 --> 00:04:05,600
lights hang from porches as I
walk.

45
00:04:05,610 --> 00:04:10,710
The scent of sweet bread reaches
me long before I see the bakery.

46
00:04:12,110 --> 00:04:17,430
Its windows are inviting and
garlands drape gracefully around

47
00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:22,330
the frames.
The display is extra charming

48
00:04:22,340 --> 00:04:27,770
during the holiday season.
Rows of iced cookies shaped like

49
00:04:27,780 --> 00:04:33,980
mittens and stars, pastries
dusted with powdered sugar and

50
00:04:33,990 --> 00:04:40,820
loaves nested in printed paper.
The sight feels comforting, like

51
00:04:40,830 --> 00:04:44,950
a scene lifted straight from an
old Christmas postcard.

52
00:04:46,500 --> 00:04:50,830
The library stands with its
small pillars wrapped with

53
00:04:50,840 --> 00:04:54,530
Evergreen boughs and simple
twinkling lights.

54
00:04:55,950 --> 00:05:00,500
Through the large windows I spot
people tucked into corners,

55
00:05:00,790 --> 00:05:03,620
reading by the softness of the
lamps.

56
00:05:04,700 --> 00:05:09,330
The large oak doors are
beautiful, and I let my mittens

57
00:05:09,340 --> 00:05:12,350
brush their wooden surface in
passing.

58
00:05:14,130 --> 00:05:19,730
Libraries, books, and winter
belong together, and I promise

59
00:05:19,740 --> 00:05:26,910
myself a cozy, wintry story or
two to take home in perfect

60
00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:30,920
time.
Snowflakes drift down, creating

61
00:05:30,930 --> 00:05:36,280
a blur of white.
The giant tree in the square

62
00:05:36,290 --> 00:05:41,900
holds its place proudly dusted
with snow and decorated with

63
00:05:41,910 --> 00:05:47,740
lights and ornaments.
The square itself is coming to

64
00:05:47,750 --> 00:05:52,600
life in a gentle way.
Stalls are set up for the

65
00:05:52,610 --> 00:05:57,300
Christmas market that happens
every day until the end of the

66
00:05:57,310 --> 00:06:02,510
month, each vendor offering
treasures for every interest.

67
00:06:03,890 --> 00:06:10,300
Hand poured candles in jars tied
with ribbon, scarves knitted and

68
00:06:10,310 --> 00:06:17,290
crocheted in earthy and bold
colours, jars of winter jam and

69
00:06:17,300 --> 00:06:22,300
tiny curved animals moving among
them.

70
00:06:22,350 --> 00:06:25,980
I buy practically one of
everything I see.

71
00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:31,590
The air smells faintly of cider
and citrus.

72
00:06:32,510 --> 00:06:38,480
One stall offers cinnamon sticks
and dried orange slices to add

73
00:06:38,490 --> 00:06:43,400
to hot drinks.
On the next table, wooden

74
00:06:43,410 --> 00:06:47,100
ornaments shaped like cottages
catch my eye.

75
00:06:48,170 --> 00:06:53,480
One is bundled for me in a piece
of cloth that will be safe in my

76
00:06:53,490 --> 00:06:58,000
coat pocket.
The shops around the square are

77
00:06:58,010 --> 00:07:03,640
dressed for the season.
One window displays rows of soy

78
00:07:03,650 --> 00:07:07,890
candles arranged like a
miniature winter forest,

79
00:07:08,610 --> 00:07:12,990
including animals and snow folks
scattered throughout.

80
00:07:14,270 --> 00:07:20,020
Another holds stacks of mittens
and hats with tiny fairy lights

81
00:07:20,030 --> 00:07:24,980
twined around them.
I love holiday window shopping.

82
00:07:25,530 --> 00:07:31,380
No rush, no list, just browsing
for the simple joy of looking.

83
00:07:33,090 --> 00:07:38,960
I step inside a small shop with
frosted glass, letting myself

84
00:07:38,970 --> 00:07:43,560
drift through the aisles of
cards, ribbons, and winter

85
00:07:43,570 --> 00:07:49,440
decorations.
A ceramic star finds its way

86
00:07:49,450 --> 00:07:54,210
into my hands, pale blue with
tiny flecks of gold.

87
00:07:55,790 --> 00:07:59,420
It feels like something that
belongs in my home for the

88
00:07:59,430 --> 00:08:06,380
season and I pay the kind man
behind the counter, drawn to the

89
00:08:06,390 --> 00:08:09,660
bookshop.
The door opens with a wave of

90
00:08:09,670 --> 00:08:12,990
coziness and the gentle scent of
tea.

91
00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:20,030
Armchairs sit in clusters by the
windows and I choose one near

92
00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:24,360
the fireplace, where a few logs
crackle softly.

93
00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:30,890
Mysteries are displayed on
nearby tables, along with

94
00:08:30,900 --> 00:08:35,450
stories of journeys, festive
cooking and seasonal

95
00:08:35,460 --> 00:08:40,020
reflections.
I settle into the chair for a

96
00:08:40,030 --> 00:08:46,790
while, letting time stand still.
Eventually, the pool of the

97
00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:51,770
outdoors draws me back up.
I step outside, where the

98
00:08:51,780 --> 00:08:55,430
afternoon light has shifted to a
cooler shade.

99
00:08:57,030 --> 00:09:01,900
I walked towards the park by the
hill, where people are sledding

100
00:09:01,910 --> 00:09:06,580
down the snowy slope, their
laughter rising into the air

101
00:09:06,590 --> 00:09:11,530
like bells.
A few snow angels are scattered

102
00:09:11,540 --> 00:09:17,150
across the flat spaces, their
outlines marking joyful pauses

103
00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:22,900
in the afternoon.
As dusk approaches, lights begin

104
00:09:22,910 --> 00:09:26,040
to glow from windows all around
the village.

105
00:09:27,110 --> 00:09:32,730
Warm golden squares of
brightness appear 1 by 1, each

106
00:09:32,740 --> 00:09:36,730
house looking like a small
Lantern against the spreading

107
00:09:36,740 --> 00:09:41,140
evening.
I make my way home with a small

108
00:09:41,150 --> 00:09:48,020
bag in hand, my wooden ornament
in my pocket, the ceramic star

109
00:09:48,030 --> 00:09:52,950
carefully wrapped, and a few
pastries I picked up on my way

110
00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:57,970
back.
Snow continues to fall, drifting

111
00:09:57,980 --> 00:10:03,660
lazily beneath the street lamps.
The village grows quieter as

112
00:10:03,670 --> 00:10:08,340
evening deepens, and I feel
wrapped in a sense of joy that

113
00:10:08,350 --> 00:10:11,640
belongs to Christmas time here
in the village.

114
00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:19,030
Inside, the first thing I do is
light a candle, letting its warm

115
00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:25,140
flame flicker across the room.
I set the ceramic star on a

116
00:10:25,150 --> 00:10:29,590
shelf and hang the ornament on a
branch of my tree.

117
00:10:31,210 --> 00:10:36,820
One of the pastries goes on to a
plate and a warm, gently spiced

118
00:10:36,830 --> 00:10:41,460
drink weights beside it, a
cinnamon stick resting at the

119
00:10:41,470 --> 00:10:46,000
rim.
I settle into my favorite chair

120
00:10:46,010 --> 00:10:49,990
with a blanket and the books I
found at the library.

121
00:10:51,610 --> 00:10:56,420
As I sit in the glow of the
candle, watching the snow drift

122
00:10:56,430 --> 00:11:01,060
down, I feel the seasons,
subtle, gently around my home.

123
00:11:02,180 --> 00:11:07,250
Christmas time in the village is
steady, comforting and full of

124
00:11:07,260 --> 00:11:11,060
seemingly tiny things waiting to
be noticed.

125
00:11:12,810 --> 00:11:19,090
I end the day with a wish for
peace, for rest, and for sweet

126
00:11:19,100 --> 00:11:25,590
dreams, both for myself and for
any one who might want a little

127
00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:34,550
Christmas comfort to night.
Christmas time in the village.

128
00:11:38,350 --> 00:11:43,070
Christmas time in the village
settles over everything, like

129
00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:49,330
the blankets on my bed.
Morning arrives with pale winter

130
00:11:49,340 --> 00:11:54,350
light filtering through my
curtains, coating the room in a

131
00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:59,260
muted glow.
I linger in the warmth for a

132
00:11:59,270 --> 00:12:03,740
while longer than usual,
listening to the quiet that

133
00:12:03,750 --> 00:12:07,630
comes only when snow has fallen
overnight.

134
00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:14,550
The world feels hushed and
nothing and no one is in a hurry

135
00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:19,850
to day.
When I finally rise, the chill

136
00:12:19,860 --> 00:12:24,730
outside nudges me towards a
thicker sweater and knitted

137
00:12:24,740 --> 00:12:31,010
socks from my grandparents.
I head to the kitchen for a warm

138
00:12:31,020 --> 00:12:36,930
cup of something, not caring
what will go in it as long as I

139
00:12:36,940 --> 00:12:43,620
can feel the heat on my palms.
Breathing in the comfort, I

140
00:12:43,630 --> 00:12:48,100
stepped towards the window to
see the village beneath its new

141
00:12:48,110 --> 00:12:53,370
coat of white.
Outside, the rooftops are

142
00:12:53,380 --> 00:12:58,320
rounded with snow.
A few folks crossed the street,

143
00:12:58,730 --> 00:13:02,850
bundled and smiling, leaving
footprints behind.

144
00:13:04,860 --> 00:13:09,890
Wreaths hang on the doors of my
neighbors homes, each decorated

145
00:13:09,900 --> 00:13:15,450
a little differently.
Pine cones on one, red berries

146
00:13:15,460 --> 00:13:19,700
on another.
Tiny silver bells on the necks.

147
00:13:21,060 --> 00:13:25,310
It's Christmas time and the
whole village glows with the

148
00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:29,510
beauty of it.
I'm ready to be in.

149
00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:33,750
Not at all.
So I pull on my coat, scarf and

150
00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:39,340
mittens and step outside.
The air is bright and cool

151
00:13:39,350 --> 00:13:44,500
against my face.
Snow crunches under my boots as

152
00:13:44,510 --> 00:13:48,030
I head along the street towards
the village centre.

153
00:13:49,300 --> 00:13:55,990
Smoke curls from chimneys and
lights hang from porches as I

154
00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,750
walk.
The scent of sweet bread reaches

155
00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:05,820
me long before I see the bakery.
Its windows are inviting and

156
00:14:05,830 --> 00:14:09,180
garlands drape gracefully around
the frames.

157
00:14:10,770 --> 00:14:15,090
The display is extra charming
during the holiday season.

158
00:14:15,870 --> 00:14:21,850
Rows of iced cookies shaped like
mittens and stars, pastries

159
00:14:21,860 --> 00:14:26,860
dusted with powdered sugar and
the loaves nested in printed

160
00:14:26,870 --> 00:14:31,670
paper.
The sight feels comforting, like

161
00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:35,800
a scene lifted straight from an
old Christmas postcard.

162
00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:41,670
The library stands with its
small pillars wrapped with

163
00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:45,380
Evergreen boughs and simple
twinkling lights.

164
00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:51,350
Through the large windows I spot
people tucked into corners,

165
00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:54,470
reading by the softness of the
lamps.

166
00:14:55,540 --> 00:15:00,170
The large oak doors are
beautiful, and I let my mittens

167
00:15:00,180 --> 00:15:03,200
brush their wooden surface in
passing.

168
00:15:04,990 --> 00:15:10,580
Libraries, books, and winter
belong together, and I promise

169
00:15:10,590 --> 00:15:17,760
myself a cozy, wintry story or
two to take home in perfect

170
00:15:17,770 --> 00:15:21,770
time.
Snowflakes drift down, creating

171
00:15:21,780 --> 00:15:27,130
a blur of white.
The giant tree in the square

172
00:15:27,140 --> 00:15:32,740
holds its place proudly dusted
with snow and decorated with

173
00:15:32,750 --> 00:15:38,590
lights and ornaments.
The square itself is coming to

174
00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:43,450
life in a gentle way.
Stalls are set up for the

175
00:15:43,460 --> 00:15:48,150
Christmas market that happens
every day until the end of the

176
00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:53,370
month, each vendor offering
treasures for every interest.

177
00:15:54,730 --> 00:16:01,150
Hand poured candles in jars tied
with ribbon, scarves knitted and

178
00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:08,140
crocheted in earthy and bold
colours, jars of winter jam and

179
00:16:08,150 --> 00:16:13,150
tiny curved animals moving among
them.

180
00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,830
I buy practically one of
everything I see.

181
00:16:18,490 --> 00:16:22,440
The air smells faintly of cider
and citrus.

182
00:16:23,370 --> 00:16:29,330
One stall offers cinnamon sticks
and dried orange slices to add

183
00:16:29,340 --> 00:16:34,240
to hot drinks.
On the next table, wooden

184
00:16:34,250 --> 00:16:37,950
ornaments shaped like cottages
catch my eye.

185
00:16:39,010 --> 00:16:44,320
One is bundled for me in a piece
of cloth that will be safe in my

186
00:16:44,330 --> 00:16:48,850
coat pocket.
The shops around the square are

187
00:16:48,860 --> 00:16:54,500
dressed for the season.
One window displays rows of soy

188
00:16:54,510 --> 00:16:58,740
candles arranged like a
miniature winter forest,

189
00:16:59,460 --> 00:17:03,840
including animals and snow folks
scattered throughout.

190
00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:10,869
Another holds stacks of mittens
and hats with tiny fairy lights

191
00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:15,890
twined around them.
I love holiday window shopping.

192
00:17:16,380 --> 00:17:22,230
No rush, no list, just browsing
for the simple joy of looking.

193
00:17:23,940 --> 00:17:29,810
I step inside a small shop with
frosted glass, letting myself

194
00:17:29,820 --> 00:17:34,410
drift through the aisles of
cards, ribbons, and winter

195
00:17:34,420 --> 00:17:40,290
decorations.
A ceramic star finds its way

196
00:17:40,300 --> 00:17:45,060
into my hands, pale blue with
tiny flecks of gold.

197
00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:50,270
It feels like something that
belongs in my home for the

198
00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:57,230
season and I pay the kind man
behind the counter, drawn to the

199
00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:00,510
bookshop.
The door opens with a wave of

200
00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:03,850
coziness and the gentle scent of
tea.

201
00:18:05,370 --> 00:18:10,880
Armchairs sit in clusters by the
windows and I choose one near

202
00:18:10,890 --> 00:18:15,220
the fireplace, where a few logs
crackle softly.

203
00:18:16,950 --> 00:18:21,740
Mysteries are displayed on
nearby tables, along with

204
00:18:21,750 --> 00:18:26,300
stories of journeys, festive
cooking and seasonal

205
00:18:26,310 --> 00:18:30,870
reflections.
I settle into the chair for a

206
00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:37,650
while, letting time stand still.
Eventually, the pool of the

207
00:18:37,660 --> 00:18:42,620
outdoors draws me back up.
I step outside, where the

208
00:18:42,630 --> 00:18:46,270
afternoon light has shifted to a
cooler shade.

209
00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:52,750
I walked towards the park by the
hill, where people are sledding

210
00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:57,430
down the snowy slope, their
laughter rising into the air

211
00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:02,380
like bells.
A few snow angels are scattered

212
00:19:02,390 --> 00:19:08,000
across the flat spaces, their
outlines marking joyful pauses

213
00:19:08,010 --> 00:19:13,750
in the afternoon.
As dusk approaches, lights begin

214
00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:16,890
to glow from windows all around
the village.

215
00:19:17,940 --> 00:19:23,580
Warm golden squares of
brightness appear 1 by 1, each

216
00:19:23,590 --> 00:19:27,580
house looking like a small
Lantern against the spreading

217
00:19:27,590 --> 00:19:31,990
evening.
I make my way home with a small

218
00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:38,870
bag in hand, my wooden ornament
in my pocket, the ceramics star

219
00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:43,800
carefully wrapped, and a few
pastries I picked up on my way

220
00:19:43,810 --> 00:19:48,830
back.
Snow continues to fall, drifting

221
00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:54,510
lazily beneath the street lamps.
The village grows quieter as

222
00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:59,200
evening deepens and I feel
wrapped in a sense of joy that

223
00:19:59,210 --> 00:20:02,490
belongs to Christmas time here
in the village.

224
00:20:04,250 --> 00:20:09,880
Inside, the first thing I do is
light a candle, letting its warm

225
00:20:09,890 --> 00:20:16,000
flame flicker across the room.
I set the ceramic star on a

226
00:20:16,010 --> 00:20:20,440
shelf and hang the ornament on a
branch of my tree.

227
00:20:22,060 --> 00:20:27,670
One of the pastries goes on to a
plate and a warm, gently spiced

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drink weights beside it, a
cinnamon stick resting at the

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rim.
I settle into my favorite chair

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with a blanket and the books I
found at the library.

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As I sit in the glow of the
candle, watching the snow drift

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down, I feel the seasons,
subtle, gently around my home.

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00:20:53,030 --> 00:20:58,100
Christmas time in the village is
steady, comforting and full of

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seemingly tiny things waiting to
be noticed.

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I end the day with a wish for
peace, for rest, and for sweet

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dreams, both for myself and for
any one who might want a little

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00:21:16,450 --> 00:21:23,370
Christmas comfort to night.
I wish you sweet dreams.