SNL cold open honors Sandy Hook tragedy: "Silent Night"

"Saturday Night Live" made a rare departure from its comedic opening to pay tribute to the children and adults killed at Sandy Hook elementary school.

Not known for treating anything seriously or tenderly, the show made a fitting exception during the first moments of its show Saturday. Rather than the usual comedic sketch, a children's choir appeared on camera and angelically sang "Silent Night," with the touching refrain, "Sleep in heavenly peace."

Then the members of the New York City Children's Chorus shouted out the NBC show's time-honored introduction: "Live from New York, it's `Saturday Night!'"

It was the night's sole reference to the tragedy and struck just the right tone.