A Christmas Eve tradition since 1979. As It Happens presents Frederick Forsyth's The Shepherd, read by our late host “Fireside” Al Maitland.

Plus: New Zealanders know there’s only one way to make the biggest splash. We reach scientists who studied the manu…and its epic impact. 

And we present Chris Howden’s reading of the Alistair MacLeod short story To Everything There Is a Season.

Plus: We revisit Nil’s conversation with British broadcaster Mishal Husain, whose memoir brings her journalistic skills to bear on own family's story.

And as we build toward The Shepherd on December 24, tonight’s reading is another “Fireside” Al Maitland classic: The Gift of the Magi.

Plus: We reach a medic in Italy who helped rescue a caver trapped deep in the dreaded Bueno Fonteno Abyss.

Also: Our holiday readings continue. Tonight, former As It Happens host Barbara Budd reads from ‘Who Has Seen the Wind’.

Plus: The director of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation brings the holiday classic home…to Montreal. 

Also: For 40 years, CBC producer Karen Levine told some of radio's most moving stories, and amplified women's voices on and off the air. Today, she's been appointed to the Order of Canada -- and says she's thrilled at the honour.

Plus: Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson is free after Denmark refuses a Japanese extradition request — and he says he's ready to get back to work.

Also: Ex-Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes says the PM’s feud with Chrystia Freeland is part of a troubling and potentially anti-feminist pattern; and a Wendat lyricist helps reimagine the Huron Carol through an Indigenous lens.

Plus: New archeological evidence of a horrific cannibal attack that shows the lengths our predecessors might have gone to dehumanize their enemy.

Also: Postal workers get set to return to work -- but given the backlog and the holiday rush, a small business owner tells us it won't do him much good.

Plus: An ancient stone tablet of the ten commandments goes up for auction, minus one commandment. It’s still very expensive. 

Also: Why Switzerland is reinvesting millions in its incredibly comprehensive system of nuclear shelters; and at a combined age of 202 years and 271 days, Marjorie Fiterman and Bernie Littman are the oldest recorded newlyweds ever.

Plus: Scrim the stray dog has become a New Orleans folk hero. We reach the person working day and night to track him down. 

Also: We reach Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, as he negotiates a historic energy deal with Quebec.

Plus: She helped restore the artwork of Notre-Dame de Paris. Today she sang there as part of a workers choir. 

Also: The Washington Post’s Dan Diamond brings us the latest on Luigi Mangione and we remember the late, great Amazing Kreskin.

Plus: Kwame Alexander remembers difficult and joyful days with his former teacher, the legendary poet Nikki Giovanni.

Also: Dahlia Scheindlin on Benjamin Netanyahu’s day in court.