49ers fans will be getting a special gift on Christmas Eve. After dominating the ’80s, and then the ’90s, the team has fallen on rough times for most of the past decade.  But Thursday (at 5 p.m. and again at 10 p.m.) the 49er Faithful will get the chance to relive that old magic, as the NFL Network replays the 1982 NFC championship game between the 49ers and Cowboys that went down in history for the play known simply as “The Catch.” I’ve seen the play a million times, but it still gives me goosebumps. (Just to double check, I watched the above video again – yep, goosebumps. Along with a big dumb grin.)

And this isn’t a mere game-highlight show; for the first time since it aired on Jan. 10, 1982,  the game is being rebroadcast in its entirety, with the original CBS announcers, Vin Scully(!) and Hank Stram, and cutting-edge 1982 graphics.

So while you’re waiting for Santa to arrive, bust out that old Dwight Clark jersey (though at the time I think I was wearing a Ricky Patton jersey), give an eggnog toast to Lenvil Elliott and feel a chill go down your spine as Joe Montana takes the field. And be sure to set aside some space on your DVR. This is one to save and watch over and over, just to cleanse the palate after having to watch Alex Smith every Sunday.