It’s here!
Hopefully you and yours are waking up to a Merry Christmas, no matter how you choose to celebrate.
As many around the world celebrate the season with family traditions, we will take a peek at a some Christmas Cliff Notes this morning. So, grab the cocoa and let’s unwrap, shall we?
Did Santa leave crumbs behind on the cookie plate? If he did those, crumbs might be different depending on the state he was in.
Tech giant Google is releasing a list of the most searched-for Christmas cookies in each state. Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and New Jersey residents apparently favor Italian-style cookies, like biscotti made with anise or anisette. Nearby Ohio searched for the Snowball Cookie, a round butter cookie covered in powdered sugar, while West Virginia looked for cookies made with chocolate. The most-searched-for cookie among all states was Italian-style, followed by peppermint and sugar.
From Father Christmas to Mother Nature, The calendar marks Christmas but many folks will go outside and not believe the calendar.
Record warmth is set to blanket much of the U.S. on December 25th. AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Anderson tells USA Today that places like Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City, Little Rock and Memphis all may tie or break record highs on Christmas day. They could see highs in the 70s or even the 80s, weather they would typically see in early to mid October.
The sounds of the season will likely be in the air, no matter the temperatures though. When it comes to favorites, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is the gold standard when it comes to holiday songs. Lisa G. reports:
But, many will not be going home for Christmas. Thousands of flights were canceled on Christmas Eve because of the fast-spreading Omicron virus.
CNN says over two-thousand flights have been canceled, including over 450 in the U.S., because of workers calling in sick. FlightAware says Delta canceled 130 Christmas Eve flights, and United canceled 170 flights. Millions, however, are still flying over the holiday. The TSA says on Thursday it screened over two-million people at U.S. airports.
Wherever you are-still stranded or have landed-Pope Francis says Christmas is a time for helping those in need. Today, the Pope is expected to offer his “Urbi et Orbi” or, city and world blessing, from Saint Peter’s Basilica balcony.
The Pope spoke during a solemn vigil Mass yesterday at Saint Peter’s Basilica. He called on believers to “look beyond all the lights and decorations” at Christmas and help the poor and others in need.
Whether you are home for the holidays, starting new traditions, lending a hand, working on the front lines, or have your own way of marking the day, we wish you and yours all the best and a season full of warm hearts and smiles.
Thanks for stopping by.
