5 Things to Know This Morning

5 Things to Know This Morning

ByABC News
December 25, 2014, 6:22 AM
Pope Francis carries a statue of Baby Jesus at the end of the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Dec. 24, 2014.
Pope Francis carries a statue of Baby Jesus at the end of the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Dec. 24, 2014.
Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo

— -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy Christmas stories of the morning.

1. Pope Delivers Christmas Message, Calls Iraqi Refugees

Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants.

Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn.

"You're like Jesus on this night, and I bless you and am close to you," Francis told the Iraqis, according to the audio of the call provided by TV2000, the television of the Italian bishops' conference which arranged the hookup. "I embrace you all and wish for you a holy Christmas."

2. Holiday Newborns Go Home in Christmas Stockings

Some of the best Christmas gifts fit in stockings and babies born around the holidays are no exception.

That's why babies born at Magee-Women's Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center get special stockings if they're in the hospital on Christmas Day.

Parents spending their first Christmas at UPMC get the stockings and hand-knit red hats as keepsakes. Magee nurses have been organizing the event for several years, and they give away dozens of tiny hats each holiday season.

3. Archaeologists Believe They Found Location Where Jesus Christ Taught

Archaeologists in Israel believe they may have uncovered the location where Jesus Christ taught and preached.

The discovery was made in the ancient town of Magdala -- thought to be the hometown of Mary Magdalene -- on the western shore of the sea of Galilee.

Jesus is believed to have spent most of his life in the area.

4. Cheerful Cocktails to Get You in the Christmas Spirit

As your holiday stress reaches its peak, relax with one of these sweet and festive cocktails. These recipes are perfect for a holiday cocktail party or late-night gift-wrapping sessions. From chocolatey peppermint concoctions to warm spiced apple drinks, you're sure to find something that will keep your spirits merry and bright this season.

5. Man Builds Hess Toy Truck Collection Over 50 Christmases

Not many adults get a toy as a gift on Christmas Day. And when they do ask for one, not many ask for a toy truck.

Thomas Cook, 73, is one of those adults who enjoy getting a toy truck on Christmas. It all started when he was 24 years old and his wife Carol gave him a Hess Green Tanker Trailer for Christmas. “Every boy likes toys,” he says.

As soon as the holiday was approaching, Carol would start looking for the trucks at Hess stations. “She would go out there and find them. They were widely popular,” Thomas says. And so a tradition started.