Despite being pounded by the holiday blizzard of 2006, North American Aerospace Defense Command remains on alert for the nation and ready to track Santa Claus, according to NORAD officials.

Allison McKenzie, who plays Joanne in Scottish soap River City, delivered a giant peach to Glasgow's Fruit Market with other members of the cast to launch the start of the run of our magical Christmas Show, James and the Giant Peach.

This Christmas season, a new trend shows that an increased amount of internet users are opting for online social networks (like Oaktreeidea.com or MySpace) to stay connected with distant family members vs. the option of waiting in long lines at the airport or bus station.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke out against the legal recognition of unmarried couples during his Christmas address to Rome clergy. He also spoke of Europe and of his visits to Turkey and the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz earlier this year. The pope this week has also been urging to defend the spirit of Christmas against secular trends. For VOA, Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

The Christmas show at the Liverpool Playhouse sees a unique stage adaptation of Tim Firth's The Flint Street Nativity. The acclaimed Warrington writer of The Preston Front, Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots has created a family comedy for any child who's ever been in a nativity - or any adult who's watched one through their fingers.

The On Show Special is due to transmit on BBC Two Wales and BBC 2W. It is based on Odyssey Theatre's latest hit, A Dickens of a Christmas which was performed in the Wales Millennium Centre.

It's Christmas Eve, Harry and Helen are really excited. Everything is in place: their stockings, a carrot for Rudolph, a glass of sherry and a mince pie for Father Christmas are laid out, the tree is all decorated, Twinkle Toes, the Christmas Fairy is missing. TWINKLE TOES THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY IS MISSING!!!! Oh no, without her Harry and Helen can expect no Christmas and that means NO PRESENTS!!!!

'Tis almost the season and all the more reason to be jolly - a new stage adaptation of the beloved classic film White Christmas is being produced by The 5th Avenue Theatre this holiday season. Every holiday season, audiences of all ages enjoy the uplifting story of White Christmas.

Northern Ballet Theatre will spread Christmas cheer throughout the UK this winter when the company tours Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. This magical production combines traditional ballet and captivating theatre to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation from covetous old sinner to a champion of Christmas spirit.

One snowy Christmas Eve in Washington, DC, three children and their parents take an ill-fated ride to grandmother's house. To tell their story, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel blends elements of Noh theatre and Bunraku with her own distinctively American voice.

Northern Ballet Theatre will spread Christmas cheer throughout the UK this winter when the company tours Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. This magical production combines traditional ballet and captivating theatre to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation from covetous old sinner to a champion of Christmas spirit.

While everyone knows that the real Santa Claus is in the North Pole busily preparing for Christmas, he agreed, with the help of Cisco, to take time out of his busy schedule to speak with CHEO patients today.