(people chattering) (bells ring) (drumsticks tapping) - One, two.

(cheerful music) (audience cheers) (cheerful music) ♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree ♪ ♪ At the Christmas party hop ♪ Mistletoe hung where you can see ♪ ♪ Every couple tries to stop ♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree ♪ ♪ Let the Christmas spirit ring ♪ ♪ Maybe we'll have some pumpkin pie ♪ ♪ And we'll do some caroling ♪ You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear ♪ ♪ Voices singing, let's be jolly ♪ ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪ ♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday ♪ ♪ Everyone dancin' merrily in the new old fashioned way ♪ (passionate saxophone solo) (audience cheers) (audience cheers) (saxophone solo continues) ♪ You will get a sentimental feelin' ♪ ♪ When you hear voices singing, let's be jolly ♪ ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪ ♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday ♪ ♪ Everyone dancing merrily in the new old fashioned way ♪ (audience cheering) (audience applauding) - It is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

I'm Samantha Jones from KMOV TV in Saint Louis, and I'm pleased to join the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, from Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, as we welcome you to the spirit of the season.

For the next half hour, we invite you to be a part of the Air Force family, as we celebrate the holidays with some music that captures the excitement of the season.

So grab the family, get cozy, as we listen to a song that goes back generations.

(bright celebratory music) (bright celebratory music continues) (bright celebratory music continues) (bright celebratory music continues) (sentimental gentle music) (bright celebratory music) (bright celebratory music continues) The holidays are always a special time for children, and this next song takes us all the way back to childhood and the overwhelming joy of the holiday season.

The lights, the decorations, all of our family traditions, and of course, worrying that Santa would forget our house on Christmas Eve.

Here to capture that child-like sense of wonder is the Shades of Blue jazz ensemble with, "Zat You, Santa Claus?"

(upbeat music) ♪ Gifts I'm preparing for some Christmas sharing ♪ ♪ But I pause because ♪ Hanging my stockings, I can hear him knocking ♪ ♪ Is that you, Santa Claus ♪ Sure it's dark out, not a single spark out ♪ ♪ Oh my clackin' jaws ♪ Who's there, who is it that's stoppin' for a visit ♪ ♪ Is that you, Santa Claus ♪ Did you bring some presents for me ♪ ♪ Something pleasantly pleasant for me ♪ ♪ That's what I've been waitin' for ♪ ♪ But would you mind slippin' it under the door ♪ ♪ The old winds are howlin', could there be some growlin' ♪ ♪ My knees feel like straw ♪ Oh my my, oh me my, kindly would you reply ♪ ♪ Is that you, Santa Claus (upbeat jazzy music) ♪ Hangin' my stockings, I can hear a knockin' ♪ ♪ Is that you, Santa Claus (upbeat jazzy music) ♪ Who's there, who is it, are you stoppin' for a visit ♪ ♪ Is that you, Santa Claus ♪ Mr. Santa, you gave me a scare ♪ ♪ Now stop teasin' 'cause I know you're there ♪ ♪ We don't believe in goblins today ♪ ♪ But I can't explain why I'm feelin' this way ♪ ♪ I see Santa lookin' through the keyhole ♪ ♪ I'll get to the cause ♪ There's an eyeball I see, lookin' back at me ♪ - [Santa] Ho ho, merry Christmas!

♪ Is that you, Santa Claus (upbeat jazzy music) ♪ Please, please, don't be a tease ♪ ♪ Is that you, Santa Claus - The holidays are a time to come together and celebrate the joys of our world, from the things that connect us to the things that make us different, we all have our own holiday traditions, customs, and beliefs, and the holidays are a perfect time to celebrate that diversity.

One of the many observances this time of year is the Jewish Festival of Hanukkah, also called The Festival of Lights, which celebrates the reclaiming of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Hanukkah's message is a celebration of resilience and reminds us that even in the darkest times, we can overcome the most difficult circumstances.

(playful upbeat music) (playful upbeat music continues) (playful upbeat music continues) (playful upbeat music continues) (playful upbeat music continues) (playful upbeat music continues) With a remarkable heritage and culture of breaking barriers, the United States Air Force can deliver an aircraft with people, supplies, humanitarian aid, and most importantly, hope, anywhere around the world in just a few hours.

One Christmas tradition has become the longest running humanitarian airlift operation for the Department of Defense.

Operation Christmas Drop started in December of 1952 when an Air Force crew saw islanders waving at them from a tiny island, southwest of Hawaii.

In the spirit of Christmas, the air crew dropped a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute, and today, that tradition continues and includes more than 50 islands throughout the Pacific.

These types of humanitarian missions have the power to grow, heal, and repair international relationships, and despite conflicts or natural disasters, the United States Air Force will always continue to spread cheer and good will around the world.

(bright buoyant music) (bright buoyant music continues) (bright buoyant music continues) (bright buoyant music continues) (bright buoyant music continues) With American airmen serving in locations around the world, you don't have to look very far in a military community to find a family separated from their service members.

It's one of the countless sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, and it's important to also remember the sacrifices made by the family members at home who are waiting for their safe return.

We take the time to remember all of those who are separated from their families and missing their loved ones this holiday season.

Here's Roots in Blue with staff sergeant, Maylon Smart, who has decided that with her husband deployed this year, she's skipping Christmas.

(smooth jazzy music) ♪ There's a change in the weather ♪ ♪ I think I'll pick out my sweaters and gloves ♪ ♪ I hope they'll keep me warm ♪ Without the arms of the man that I love ♪ ♪ Santa, man, won't you hurry on the double, if you can ♪ ♪ If my baby ain't here, I'm skipping Christmas this year ♪ ♪ There'll be no tinsel, no garland, no presents by the tree ♪ ♪ 'Cause all I ever need is so please, hear my pleas ♪ ♪ I promise my days won't be merry and bright ♪ ♪ If I can't hold my baby on Christmas night ♪ ♪ I hope I don't come off rude ♪ I'm not really in a holiday mood ♪ ♪ If my baby ain't here, I'm skipping Christmas this year ♪ (smooth jazzy music) (smooth jazzy music continues) ♪ There'll be no carols for singing, I've vaulted my house ♪ ♪ No silver bells ringing, no turtle doves calls ♪ ♪ I promise my days won't be merry and bright ♪ ♪ If you don't get this handled ♪ Christmas is canceled.

(decoration clatters) ♪ Santa, man, won't you hurry on the double, if you can ♪ ♪ 'Cause if my baby ain't here ♪ None of my wishes can, pick up your reindeer ♪ ♪ I really mean it, I'm really sincere ♪ ♪ I'm skipping Christmas this year ♪ (playful holiday music) (energetic music) ♪ Hang all the mistletoe, I'm gonna get to know you better ♪ ♪ This Christmas, and as we trim the tree ♪ ♪ How much fun it's gonna be together ♪ ♪ This Christmas, fireside is blazing bright ♪ ♪ We're caroling through the night ♪ ♪ And this Christmas will be a very special Christmas for me ♪ (energetic joyous music) ♪ Presents and cards are here ♪ My world is filled with cheer and you, yeah ♪ ♪ This Christmas, and as I look around ♪ ♪ Your eyes outshine the town, they do, whoa ♪ ♪ This Christmas, fireside is blazing bright ♪ ♪ We're caroling through the night ♪ ♪ This Christmas will be a very special Christmas for me ♪ ♪ You and me together will make this Christmas bright ♪ ♪ You and me together will make this Christmas bright ♪ (upbeat music) ♪ And this Christmas will be a very special Christmas for me ♪ ♪ You and me together will make this Christmas bright ♪ ♪ You and me together will make this Christmas bright ♪ ♪ You and me together will make this Christmas bright ♪ ♪ You and me together will make this Christmas bright ♪ ♪ You and me together will make this Christmas bright ♪ Thank you for joining us to celebrate the holiday season.

We hope you and your loved ones have been filled with joy and good cheer.

To help bring in the upcoming new year, we'd like to leave you with one final holiday classic, performed by the Star Lifter rock band.

From the men and women at Scott Air Force Base, Air Mobility Command, and the United States Air Force, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.

(upbeat playful music) ♪ Should old acquaintance be forgot ♪ ♪ And never brought to mind ♪ Should old acquaintance be forgot for auld lang syne ♪ ♪ For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne ♪ ♪ We'll drink a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne ♪ ("Auld Lang Syne") (nostalgic uplifting music) (nostalgic uplifting music continues) ♪ Should old acquaintance be forgot ♪ ♪ And never brought to mind ♪ Should old acquaintance be forgot for auld lang syne ♪ ♪ For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne ♪ ♪ We'll take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne ♪ (bright gentle music) (bright gentle music continues) (bright gentle music continues) (bright gentle music continues) (bright gentle music continues)