'SNL' Remembers Newtown School Shooting Victims With 'Silent Night' Opening (VIDEO)

Saturday Night Live ditched its usual political opening skit for a more serious moment. The New York Children’s Chorus performed "Silent Night" in memory of the 27 victims, 20 of them children aged 6 or 7, of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting spree on Dec. 15 in Newtown, Conn.

"In the wake of the Newtown, Conn. tragedy, the New York Children’s Chorus opens Saturday Night Live singing "Silent Night," read the caption for the video, explaining that this would be no ordinary Christmas SNL episode.

Silent Night Cold Open

The night wasn't all on a sad note. Former SNL cat member Martin Short returned to host, while Paul McCartney took the stage later on in the show to perform the mellow love ballad 'My Valentine.' Watch some highlights from last night's SNL below.

Royal Family Doctor

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Holiday Pageant

Paul McCartney: My Valentine