Hi, it's Michael, and welcome to settling into sleep, your quiet refuge to slip out of the day's noise and drift into nourishing rest.

I'm grateful that you pressed play today. My hope is that we can help you step away from the noise of the world

and gently find your way to sleep.

Over the next few minutes, I'll guide you with story, stillness, and gentle breath

towards the soft edge of dreams.

So, wherever you are, get comfortable, let your shoulders drop and take a nice,

deep, slow breath in, and breathe out, and let it all settle, easing you towards sleep.

I'm your host, Michael Gallion, and this is Settling Into Sleep. I'm.... T'was 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 the 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 of the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the 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 a 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 courses 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.

...