PHOTOS: Christmas Around The World
The coronavirus pandemic has made for a Christmas unlike any other. Here are some glimpses of how people are observing the holiday season — and maintaining traditions — around the globe.
Christmas
In Christmas Message, Pope Francis Urges Coronavirus 'Vaccines For All'
"Vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy of all regions of the planet," Pope Francis said at the Vatican on a subdued Christmas Day.
Through Thick And Thin, Best Friends Make Room For Laughter And Tears
Jamie Olivieri and Yennie Neal-Achigbu have been inseparable since eighth grade. From annual Christmas gatherings to a husband's death, the friends have helped each other through the good and the bad.
At The Vatican, A Christmas Eve Mass Shaped By The Pandemic
Only 100 or so people attended the service, and they wore masks and socially distanced. The Mass began two hours early so all could make it home before Italy's virus curfew.
It Must Be Christmastime. David Sedaris Reads 'Santaland Diaries'
In Santaland Diaries, humorist David Sedaris describes his time working as a department store elf named Crumpet. Here, Sedaris again reads as Crumpet — an NPR holiday tradition.
Millions Of Christmas Gifts May Arrive Late Due To Overload At The Postal Service
"We're really busy. It's been unbearable," sighed Manny Huenchunir, a Postal Service truck driver who was unloading and reloading crates of mail at a post office outside Boston on Tuesday night.
In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July
Stations have been playing Christmas music earlier than ever this year, as a way of luring in listeners during the pandemic. One Indiana station was doing it in July.
How COVID-19 Is Making The Holiday Season Not So Jolly For Santa Clauses
People who work as Santa are making tough choices due to the coronavirus. How close should they get to children? Are Zoom meetings best? For one Santa and Mrs. Claus in Oklahoma, it's not easy at all.
'Panic Buying' Of Christmas Trees Hits NC Amid Tree Shortage
A cold drizzle fell on Boyd's Christmas Trees, but the holiday spirit hummed along apace at the Swannanoa River Road tree lot, where Rhonda Heath said she's had the best season in more than a decad
George Floyd's Death And Years Of Dialogue Are Helping The Dutch Disown Black Pete
"There's quite a risk that we could have said, 'Oh, that's in the United States. That's not us,' " says Amma Asante, a former member of the Dutch Parliament. "And now there's no denial anymore."