From the unconventional and awe-inspiring to the hilarious and heartwarming, here's a look at some of the most interesting photos, videos and stories that have our newsroom talking today. What's capturing your attention, filling your inbox and cluttering your Facebook/Twitter feed? Tweet us the stories you're talking about using #InstantIndex or email us at ABC.WorldNews@abc.com and they could appear on World News.

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch Surveillance cameras caught a man in Texas stealing holiday decorations from the front lawn of a San Antonio home. The perpetrator got away with an inflatable sled, snowman, train set and Santa Claus.

Pope Takes to Twitter The Vatican announced today that Pope Benedict XVI will send his first tweet from his personal account, @pontifex, on Wednesday, Dec. 12. The pontiff already has more than 248,000 followers.

Congress Rates Low on Honesty A new Gallup study asked people to rate professions by "the honesty and ethical standards of people" in the different fields. Out of 22 professions members of Congress finished second to last, barely edging out "car salespeople." Nurses topped the list followed by pharmacists and medical doctors.

21,000 Teddy Bears on Ice The Calgary Hitmen of Canada's Western Hockey League held their annual Teddy Bear Toss on Sunday. After the Hitmen scored their first goal, the nearly 17,000 fans threw more than 21,000 teddy bears onto the ice. The bears will be donated to local hospitals and charities.

20 Years of Texting Today, texting turned 20. The first text message was sent on Dec. 3, 1992 by Neil Papworth, an engineer working in the U.K. It read "Merry Christmas."

Shoeless It has been less than a week since New York City Police Officer Lawrence DePrimo's act of kindness rocked around the world thanks to a tourist's photo and a Facebook post. DePrimo, who used his own money to buy a homeless man shoes on a frigid November night, was praised for his generosity and held up as an example of the many selfless acts that go unnoticed every day. But many were left wondering what happened to the homeless man he'd helped. The New York Times tracked down Jeffrey Hillman, 54, and found him without shoes on New York City's Upper West Side. "Those shoes are hidden. They are worth a lot of money," he told the paper. "I could lose my life."

Image credit: Jennifer Foster/AP Photo