This Artist Finger Painted Buddy the Elf on Live TV — in Under 6 Minutes

Cody Sabol doesn’t use brushes. He doesn’t need them. The Pittsburgh-based artist paints with his fingers, and he does it faster and better than most people could with a full toolkit. This week, he took his talents to live television, appearing on Talk Pittsburgh to recreate one of the most beloved holiday characters ever — Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf — entirely by hand, and in real time. The result? A jaw-dropping portrait that came together in less than six minutes. No outlines, no tracing, just raw speed and talent. It started with some broad strokes, but it didn’t take long before the familiar green hat and wide-eyed expression began to take shape. By the time Sabol added the details around the eyes, there was no mistaking it: Buddy the Elf was back, and staring straight at the camera. “Painting Will Ferrell’s Elf in less than 6 minutes!! Who should I paint next!? What’s your favorite Christmas Movie!?” Sabol wrote on Instagram after the segment. “Huge thanks to my friends at @talkpittsburgh for having me!!” Fans were quick to jump in with ideas — and jokes. “Would you rather eat the dessert spaghetti or have a snowball fight with Buddy the Elf?” one asked. “Either way, you eat cotton balls and smell like beef and cheese.” Another fan dropped the classic line from the movie: “Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad!” Some had holiday suggestions for who Sabol should paint next. “Christmas Vacation. Cousin Eddie and Clark. Home Alone crew Kevin, Marv, Harry,” one commented. But the biggest praise came from a follower who compared their excitement to a certain elf’s energy level: “You know how Buddy the Elf gets excited when he finds out Santa is coming? That’s how I feel when you drop a new reel.” Sabol is no stranger to viral moments. He’s painted athletes, musicians, celebrities, and now holiday icons — all with his signature finger painting style and lightning-fast speed. But there’s something about watching Buddy the Elf appear in just a few minutes, with nothing but hands and paint, that feels a little bit like magic. Just in time for Christmas.

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Giant Leg Lamp Lights Up Oklahoma Town, Turning A Christmas Classic Into Year-Round Attraction

In a town already known for its over-the-top holiday lights, a towering 50-foot leg lamp is proving hard to miss — and even harder to forget. Inspired by the 1983 holiday classic A Christmas Story, the enormous sculpture now stands proudly on Main Street in Chickasha, Oklahoma, glowing brightly and drawing thousands of curious visitors each year. The idea started as a joke. Tim Elliot, CEO of Chickasha-based Standley Systems, couldn’t stop thinking about the film’s infamous scene where Ralphie’s father unboxes the now-iconic leg lamp, calling it a “major award.” The image stuck with him. “When he pulled the leg lamp out of the box, I could not get that out of my mind,” Elliot told CBS Mornings. “I mean, that was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.” So, at a local economic development meeting, Elliot pulled out a replica lamp and pitched the idea: “How about a 100-foot leg lamp at the end of Main Street?” Everyone laughed. No one thought it would happen. But Elliot was serious. He raised over $1 million and got to work. In 2021, the leg lamp was constructed. A year later, it reopened as a permanent fixture. And now, it’s become a major draw — not just during the holidays, but year-round. Chickasha is already home to one of the top-rated light shows in the U.S. The Chickasha Festival of Light features 3.5 million lights and a 170-foot-tall Christmas tree. But the leg lamp, despite being less than a third of the tree’s height, is stealing the show. “There’s nothing else like it,” said Jim Cowan, Chickasha’s economic development director. “Tourism is at an all-time high, and a lot of that can be traced one way or another to a leg lamp.” Not everyone welcomed the lamp at first. Warner Brothers, which owns the rights to A Christmas Story, sent a cease-and-desist letter shortly after the lamp was installed. They wanted the sculpture taken down. “We were very determined,” Cowan said. “We weren’t going to let that happen. If we had to go and battle in the courts, we would, because we felt like we did things the right way.” Chickasha officials responded by explaining that they weren’t charging people to see the lamp, and a nearby gift shop was selling officially licensed merchandise. That seemed to be enough to quiet any legal threats. “We haven’t heard from [Warner Brothers] in about a year and a half,” Elliot said. The lamp is now part of the town’s identity — and its economy. Tourists like John Prock, who drove nearly three hours while visiting family in Oklahoma, say it’s worth the trip. “My parents mentioned it,” he said. “So we literally hopped in the car, drove almost three hours to get here, and here we are.” The ripple effect is real. Business investor Chet Hitt, who grew up just 20 miles away, recently returned to Chickasha with plans to invest millions. He’s working on a new business park and downtown revitalization effort. “You drive down this little town and you see kids playing and the community behind things and the support,” Hitt said. “They buy into what’s here.” As for Elliot, the leg lamp was never about the laughs — or the legal battles. It was about giving the town something to rally around. Something fun. Something big. And it worked. “The lamp has become a beacon,” Cowan said. “Literally.”

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Dogs Star in Nativity Scene in Creative Christmas Daycare Activity

A dog daycare in Cheshire, England, got into the festive spirit by creating a nativity scene with its pooches, adorable footage shows. Cheshire Dog Lady posted this video to Instagram with the caption, “Not exactly a silent night… but definitely a cute one.” The post also included a credits list, with English Cocker Spaniel Rosie and Boston Terrier Woody nailing their roles as the angel and baby Jesus respectively.

Scientists May Have Found a Way to Reverse Alzheimer’s in Mice by Restoring Brain Energy

A new study is challenging one of the most deeply held beliefs in medicine — that Alzheimer’s disease, once it starts, is irreversible. Researchers from University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center say they’ve uncovered a way to not just slow the disease, but actually reverse it — at least in mice. The key lies in restoring the brain’s energy balance by targeting a molecule called NAD+. “We were very excited and encouraged by our results,” said Dr. Andrew Pieper, senior author of the study and Director of the Brain Health Medicines Center at the Harrington Discovery Institute. “Restoring the brain's energy balance achieved pathological and functional recovery in both lines of mice with advanced Alzheimer's.” The research, published December 22 in Cell Reports Medicine, found that severe drops in NAD+ — a molecule critical for cellular energy — play a central role in Alzheimer’s. In human brain samples and multiple mouse models of the disease, researchers found NAD+ levels were dramatically depleted. When scientists restored NAD+ in the mice — even after the animals had developed full-blown Alzheimer’s symptoms — the brain damage not only stopped progressing, it began to reverse. Mice regained memory and cognitive function completely. “We showed that the damaged brain can, under some conditions, repair itself and regain function,” said Pieper. A Shift From Prevention to Recovery For more than a century, Alzheimer’s has been seen as a one-way street. While billions of dollars have been poured into preventing or slowing the disease, no approved treatment has ever claimed to reverse it. Most research has focused on clearing amyloid plaques or tau tangles — hallmark features of the disease — but with limited success in reversing cognitive decline. This new approach turns the spotlight away from those targets and toward the brain’s ability to generate and use energy. Specifically, the study focused on NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a molecule that powers crucial cellular functions. As people age, NAD+ levels drop. That drop is even more dramatic in Alzheimer’s patients. The team used a pharmacological compound called P7C3-A20, developed in-house, which helps cells maintain a healthy NAD+ balance under stress. The treatment had already shown promise in traumatic brain injury. This time, it was applied to Alzheimer’s mouse models carrying the same gene mutations that cause amyloid and tau dysfunction in humans. The results: reduced inflammation, improved brain cell communication, restored blood-brain barrier function, and even regrowth of neurons in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. Both groups of mice — one with amyloid mutations and the other with tau — experienced full cognitive recovery. Blood tests confirmed the changes too. Levels of a biomarker called phosphorylated tau 217, commonly used in human Alzheimer’s diagnosis, returned to normal. That finding could be key in tracking results during future human trials. Not Your Average Supplement The researchers emphasized that this isn’t about taking over-the-counter NAD+ boosters, which are often marketed as anti-aging supplements. In fact, Pieper warned that animal studies have shown those supplements can raise NAD+ to unsafe levels and potentially fuel cancer growth. By contrast, P7C3-A20 doesn’t flood the body with NAD+. Instead, it stabilizes NAD+ at healthy levels under stressful conditions — a much safer and more targeted approach. “This is important when considering patient care,” Pieper said. “Clinicians should consider the possibility that therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring brain energy balance might offer a path to disease recovery.” From Lab to Clinic Dr. Kalyani Chaubey, lead author of the study, said the results point toward new directions in Alzheimer’s care. “Through our study, we demonstrated one drug-based way to accomplish this in animal models, and also identified candidate proteins in the human AD brain that may relate to the ability to reverse AD,” she said. The researchers are now pushing for human clinical trials. Their lab work is being commercialized through Glengary Brain Health, a biotech firm co-founded by Pieper. But first, more work is needed to identify the most effective elements of the treatment and test complementary approaches. The team also hopes to explore whether this NAD+ restoration method might work for other age-related brain diseases. If those efforts succeed, the implications could be enormous. The current Alzheimer’s drugs on the market can only slow the disease — and even then, only modestly, and in early stages. A treatment that can actually restore function would be a seismic shift. “The key takeaway is a message of hope,” said Pieper. “The effects of Alzheimer’s disease may not be inevitably permanent.”

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How This Retired Jockey Found a New Purpose in Horse Therapy for Mental Health

Before he won nearly 3,000 races and became one of Canada’s most decorated jockeys, Eurico Rosa da Silva found something far more important in horses: peace. As a child growing up in Brazil, da Silva endured years of emotional abuse from his father. But he still remembers the calm he felt around horses — even as young as four or five years old. “The horse has the ability to feel what you’re feeling inside yourself,” he said. “They bring it into their body and release it.” Now 50, da Silva has traded the roar of the racetrack for quiet moments in the barn. At LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society in Hillsburgh, Ontario, he’s running a mental health support program that pairs people with horses to help them heal. It’s called the Equine Experiential Connection. The approach is simple: Let the horses lead. “It’s not the client that chooses the horse,” he said. “The horse is going to choose the client.” Da Silva’s sessions begin with quiet introductions. Clients meet the horses in their stalls and wait to see which animal shows interest. That moment of connection determines the rest of the session — and sometimes, the path forward. “My job is to teach people to connect with the horse,” da Silva said. From there, sessions move into an indoor arena or, if needed, into an open pasture that da Silva calls the “Field of Compassion.” Some clients see results in just a few visits. Others continue for weeks or months. According to Lauren Millet, LongRun’s farm manager, the changes can be visible. “I truly feel it’s because they’re more comfortable with themselves,” she said, noting how clients grow more at ease around the horses and staff over time. Da Silva has 15 horses in the program. Nine work with clients indoors, while the others roam the fields. Many of the horses are retired thoroughbreds from LongRun, which helps find second careers and homes for former racehorses. Some aren’t suitable for adoption — but that doesn’t mean they can’t help others. “It gives horses that can’t be adopted a real purpose,” said Vicki Pappas, LongRun’s chairperson and a founding member. “And they enjoy interacting with humans.” Pappas said the program also helps change perceptions. “There’s no need to fear horses,” she said. “They’re a lot more afraid of you than you are of them, if you can believe that.” The therapeutic bond between humans and horses isn’t just emotional — it’s physical, too. Da Silva points out that horses often release stress on behalf of the people around them. “Many times with my clients, you can see the horse yawning very strongly,” he said. “That’s because they have a lot of stress in their body, and the horse is sucking in that energy and releasing it.” Clients often describe feeling lighter afterward. “My chest has opened up,” one told him after a session. Da Silva wasn’t surprised. “Yeah,” he said. “Because the horse just released the energy for you.” His return to working with horses came after a short detour. When da Silva retired from racing in 2019 — with two King’s Plate wins and seven national jockey titles — he became a mental coach for professional athletes. But something felt off. “It’s then when I realized, ‘Oh my God, of course it’s missing something, the horses,’” he said. That realization led to a chance encounter with Pappas. He had been looking for a farm to run a therapy program; she had been looking for someone to launch one. “When I came here and saw the horses, I said, ‘My goodness, this is the dream place,’” he said. Da Silva isn’t stopping there. He wants to expand the program to help victims of abuse, people experiencing homelessness, and eventually, those in prison or working as first responders. “My dream is to bring these horses to jails,” he said. “Because it’s [those] people we need to welcome back into the community again. “We all need love, we all need connection, and horses illuminate our mind — they illuminate us inside to do that.”

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From Backyard to Broadway: 75-Foot Spruce Lights Up Rockefeller Center for 2025 Holiday Season

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has come a long way since 1931, when construction workers first put up a 20-foot fir to mark the holidays during the Great Depression. Ninety-three years later, it remains one of the most iconic symbols of the season — a towering Norway spruce lit by 50,000 LEDs, crowned with a 900-lb. Swarovski star, and watched by millions in person and on TV. For the 2025 season, the tree came from East Greenbush, New York, a suburb just outside Albany. The 75-foot spruce had been growing on the Russ family property for over six decades, serving as a backdrop for birthdays, holidays, and backyard memories. When Erik Pauze, Rockefeller Center’s head gardener, saw a photo of the tree earlier this year, he said he “knew it was perfect.” He even made several trips back to check in and water the tree himself. It was cut down on November 6 and arrived in Midtown Manhattan two days later, greeted by cranes, crews, and curious onlookers. On December 3, during the annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special — hosted this year by Reba McEntire — the tree was officially lit, its five miles’ worth of multicolored lights glowing against the city skyline. The tradition has come a long way since its humble beginnings. That first tree in 1931 was decorated with cranberries, garland, and tin cans, and paychecks were handed out beneath it on Christmas Eve. Two years later, the first official lighting ceremony was held in 1933. From there, the trees only got taller — and the decorations more extravagant. In 1942, during World War II blackouts, the tree remained unlit, though not undecorated. It was adorned in red, white, and blue to support the war effort. And in 1949, the entire tree was spray-painted silver to evoke a wintry feel. By the 1950s, the tree lighting had become a national event, appearing on TV for the first time in 1951. That same decade saw the debut of Valerie Clarebout’s iconic wire angels, each made with 75 pounds of metal. They’ve returned every year since. The tradition has also grown more sustainable. Since 1971, Rockefeller trees have been turned into mulch or donated to Habitat for Humanity. LED lights were introduced in 2007, powered in part by rooftop solar panels at One Rockefeller Center. As for where the trees come from? Most hail from New York and New Jersey, though a few have made longer journeys. The first tree from outside the U.S. came from Canada in 1966. One arrived on a barge in 1997. Another flew in on the world’s largest cargo plane in 1998. And 1999’s 100-foot spruce from Connecticut remains the tallest in Rockefeller history. Some trees come with personal stories. In 2018, a tree donated by a Latinx same-sex couple marked a first. A year later, Carol Schultz gifted the tree she planted 60 years earlier as her “80th birthday present to the world.” And the 2020 tree — which looked sparse on arrival — went viral, with the Rockefeller Center Instagram account cheekily defending its appearance: “Just wait until I get my lights on!” The trees aren’t just symbols — they’re steeped in family memories. This year’s tree was no different. The Russ family’s spruce had stood watch over their front yard for more than 60 years. Now, it’ll shine in front of millions. Once the season ends, the 2025 tree will be repurposed like those before it, continuing a legacy that started with a simple gesture nearly a century ago. And while the size, lights, and spectacle have grown, the heart of the tradition — spreading joy and bringing people together — remains the same.

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He's Santa's Head Elf, and He's Bringing Joy and Support Through Millions of Emails

For nearly 30 years, Alan Kerr has been quietly helping Santa answer millions of letters from kids all over the world — all from his home in Calgary. As “Santa’s head elf” and the creator of the website emailsanta.com, Kerr has seen it all. On Christmas Eve alone, the site receives up to 10 emails per second — requests for toys, heartfelt wishes for family members, and, sometimes, things no child should have to ask for. “Could you please try to find a girlfriend for my dad... to keep him busy, so he will leave my toys alone,” wrote five-year-old Nicholas from Alberta. That’s one of the lighter messages Kerr has kept over the years. But others are much heavier. Kerr launched the website in 1997 during a Canada Post strike, so kids wouldn’t miss their chance to write to Santa. But by the next year, he realized the project was becoming something more. A nine-year-old girl wrote in to say she had lost three close relatives that year and just needed someone to talk to. “That’s when it really hit me,” Kerr told CBC. “Kids say things to Santa that they will not say to anybody else.” And they still do. Some write about being bullied, others about losing pets or family members. One wrote, “I know your elves only make toys, but I wish they could find a cure for my brain tumor. Maybe you could put a good word in for me with the angels? I don’t need any toys.” That was from Madison, age 11. The site sends back instant, personalized replies from Santa, thanks to some clever coding. But when certain sensitive keywords are flagged — like "scared," "hurt," or "sad" — the system prompts Kerr to step in with a second email offering support resources, like helpline numbers or local organizations. Sometimes he’s reached out to authorities when a message suggests a child could be in immediate danger. Other times, he’s simply offered a kind word that makes all the difference. Kerr has spent years refining this process. He’s consulted with psychologists, teachers, and even police officers to build a safer system. He’s also built out a section of the site with global helpline resources, in case a child or adult needs support beyond what Santa can give. And it’s not just kids. In 2022, someone from Afghanistan wrote in asking for help, and Kerr responded with information from a refugee organization in Ontario. Dr. Todd Cunningham, a child psychologist at the University of Toronto, says it makes sense that kids open up to Santa. “He’s this trustworthy, loving individual who brings gifts to kids who are good,” he explained. “I could see how that would attract people to talk to him and reach out to him.” Kerr agrees. “They share their Christmas thoughts every year with him since they've been very, very little,” he said. “If it is a problem inside the family, he's a person who's outside that immediate circle that they feel comfortable with.” He added that Santa’s roots — based on the third-century monk St. Nicholas — have always been about caring for children. “Nowadays, I think it’s more that Santa is known for being a good, kind listener,” Kerr said. “Kids believe he can do something to help them.” It’s not all heavy, though. The site also gets a fair share of laughs. Like this note from nine-year-old Conrad in Calgary: “I really like the red suit, but when I saw you in the mall the other day, it was lookin’ a little too small. Maybe you should ease up a little on the milk and cookies.” This year, Kerr compiled some of the most memorable letters in a new book titled Dear Santa, Letters to emailSanta.com. It’s filled with sweet, funny, and emotional messages that reflect nearly three decades of running the site. “I consider it a privilege,” he said. “It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but it’s also a calling.” Some of the responses he’s received over the years stay with him. Like the young girl who wrote back three weeks after he sent her resources, saying, simply, “Everything’s going to be fine.” You could feel the difference in her tone, Kerr said. As Santa’s inbox fills up again this season, Kerr is still there — reading, replying, and making sure every child feels heard.

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Community Rallies To Give Foster Family A Heartwarming Holiday Surprise

This Christmas, a family in Blackfoot, Idaho found themselves on the receiving end of the generosity they’ve shown so many others. Jacob and Samantha, a couple known in their community for fostering children and opening their home to those in need, hit an especially rough patch just weeks before the holidays. After years of giving, life turned upside down in a matter of days. The couple met at BYU-Idaho, eventually settling in Blackfoot. Samantha, originally from Zimbabwe, works as a special education teacher, while Jacob had been working at a fabrication shop. They’ve fostered nearly a dozen children over the years, and last summer, they celebrated a major milestone: adopting their teenage daughter from Zimbabwe through an international process that brought joy, but also steep financial costs. At the time, they were also caring for three young boys they hope to adopt. Despite the strain, the couple remained committed to providing a stable, loving home. But in early December, just after helping some friends move, their family vehicle was destroyed when they hit a deer on the drive home. The crash left their car totaled, and insurance wouldn’t cover the damage. With six people in the household, they suddenly found themselves managing everyday life — school drop-offs, appointments, errands — with only a single pickup truck. Then came another blow: Jacob lost his job. Now, each day begins with Jacob dropping off Samantha and the kids before heading out in search of work. He spends his days job-hunting and trying to keep things afloat. That’s when a Secret Santa stepped in. Working with East Idaho News, the anonymous donor delivered a Christmas surprise the family never expected. Details of the gift haven’t been publicly shared yet, but the gesture came just when the family needed hope the most. Jacob and Samantha didn’t ask for help. They’ve spent years quietly giving to others — fostering children, caring for students, welcoming a daughter from across the world. This year, their community — and one generous stranger — made sure they knew they weren’t alone.

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Family's Holiday Tradition Of Donating Decorations Becomes Full-Fledged Nonprofit

In Nacogdoches, Texas, one family’s simple idea to spread Christmas cheer turned into something much bigger — and it all started with a few mini Christmas trees. Ariel and Jared Higginbotham, along with their six kids — Sophia, Amira, Zeke, Cami, Jaise, and Ezra — kicked off what they called “Operation Christmas Tree” in early December. Their goal was to brighten the holidays for local nursing home residents, many of whom spend most of their days alone. “Some of them are in their room quite a bit throughout the day, it’s just the same thing each day,” Ariel told ABC 9 News. “And just maybe having that tree … bringing that light and uplifting the Christmas spirit in the room is really important.” They delivered small trees, blankets, and holiday decorations to residents at Willowbrook Nursing Home. And something about that first visit stuck. The family couldn’t stop thinking about how much it meant to the people they met — so they came back. This time, they brought more: painted canvases, cookies, candy canes, stuffed animals, and cozy grippy socks. They posted online asking for help, and their neighbors showed up in a big way. Donations poured in, both physical and monetary. The Higginbothams handled pickups, shopping trips, and deliveries, turning their living room into a full-on holiday command center. “As Christmas gets closer, we’re getting ready to bring a little extra light, love, and Jesus to residents at a local nursing home, reminding them they’re seen, valued, and deeply cared for this season,” they shared in a post calling for donations. “Our top priorities are blankets and grippy socks, but snacks and basic bathroom essentials are also appreciated.” The family said every share and small act of kindness made a difference. “Every share, prayer, and contribution truly matters,” they wrote. “Thank you for helping us love others well this Christmas.” What started as a small project has already grown into something bigger. Inspired by the overwhelming response, the Higginbothams are now launching the Timeless Compassion Project, a new initiative aimed at supporting seniors in their community year-round. They plan to apply for official nonprofit status after the holidays, with hopes to expand their efforts throughout East Texas. “I feel like a lot of time … [donations] typically go to the homeless, they go to the children, and the nursing home typically get forgotten,” Ariel told ABC 9. Jared added, “Some of them don’t have any family in the area. They don’t ever get any visitors, so it's nice to have a face to talk to, as well.” For now, the focus was on Willowbrook, but the Higginbothams say they’re already thinking about how to make next year even bigger. “Thank you so much for partnering with us this Christmas season to bless a local nursing home,” they wrote in a follow-up post. “Every resident was so surprised and so very thankful.” They ended with a message for those who donated, showed up, or simply spread the word: “Be on the lookout for next year's schedule after the new year. We are working on new ways to help the residents and would love to have each and every one of you involved. Every piece of help you give is noticed and so appreciated.”

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Grinch Assists With Traffic Control After Police Foil Christmas Heist Plan

In a festive twist that could only happen in small-town Louisiana, the Grinch was caught — and quickly put to work — after being spotted scheming in Rayville just before Christmas. According to the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies encountered the infamous holiday troublemaker early on December 23 with what they described as “plans to cause maximum traffic chaos.” But instead of hauling him off in handcuffs, they gave him a choice: help direct traffic or take a one-way ride to jail. Wearing a high-visibility vest and a reluctant attitude, the Grinch chose cooperation. “After some serious side-eye, a little grumbling, and one dramatic huff… the Grinch chose to cooperate,” the sheriff’s office said in a post shared alongside video of the green icon directing vehicles with surprising skill. “Cones placed perfectly. Flashlight directing like a pro. Traffic moving smoother than Christmas music in December.” The deputies were impressed enough to offer him a full-time gig. He declined. “Turns out he prefers stealing Christmas presents, causing mild mischief, and avoiding steady employment,” the department joked. No traffic was harmed. No Christmas was stolen — at least not this time. “Deputies remain undefeated,” the post added. With the holiday spirit clearly alive and well in Richland Parish, even the Grinch couldn’t resist pitching in.

Here's How You Can Spot Santa's Sleigh, or the Space Station, This Christmas Eve and Day

If you're up early on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, take a moment to look skyward — you might spot something magical. Across parts of North America and Europe, the International Space Station will be visible in the pre-dawn sky on December 24 and 25, gliding silently overhead like a bright, steady star. It won’t blink like a plane, and it won’t leave a trail like a meteor. It will simply appear, drift across the sky for a few minutes, then vanish. For kids already buzzing with excitement, the timing couldn’t be better. The glowing light might look like something — or someone — on a quiet holiday journey through the skies. What you're seeing is sunlight reflecting off the station’s massive solar arrays as it orbits Earth roughly every 90 minutes. When conditions are right — just before sunrise or just after sunset — the ISS catches the light and shines brightly back toward Earth, often becoming one of the brightest objects in the sky. No telescope or binoculars are needed. Just go outside, look up, and wait. It’s a brief but beautiful sight — a perfect mix of science and seasonal wonder. For real-time viewing times in your area, check NASA’s Spot the Station tool. at www.spotthestation.nasa.gov. Weather permitting, it's a moment worth sharing — whether you're seeing a marvel of human engineering… or imagining a sleigh zipping by.

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