Andrew entering todays private Church Service as he tries to lay low but the young royals steal the show. Plus, the ultimate gift. Signing a christmas tag mom, i never realize that that would bring tears to my eyes the nurse, the patient and a dream come true. Announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt good evening and Merry Christmas. Im Kristen Welker in for lester we begin with the mounting tensions over north korea and its nuclear program. Tonight the United States is making a new move reportedly flying four surveillance planes over the Korean Peninsula in response to the country warning of a christmas surprise. President trump undoubtedly tracking the developments from his maralago resort in florida where hes spending the holiday. Our chief White House CorrespondentHallie Jackson has the latest from West Palm Beach tonight. Reporter u. S. Officials bracing for new aggression of north koreas ominous warning of a Christmas Gift today, deploying four american surveillance planes over the peninsula according to south korean media report. The pentagon has not responded to nbc news request for comment. It comes as increasing concern over what pyongyang is plotting like perhaps a longrange Missile Launch soon that hasnt happened since 2017 when kim stopped testing during a window of diplomacy with president trump. The president now publicly playing down concerns over a potential test, but pledging to respond if and when it happens. Well find out what the surprise is and well deal with it very successfully and well see what happens reporter the now impeached president bracing for a fight on another front as negotiations remain at a standstill over the details of a senate trial considering whether to remove him from office. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she wont send the articles of impeachment to the senate until shes confident there will be a fair tile. Top republican Mitch Mcconnell calling the delay absurd. Shes doing a tremendous disservice to the country. Shes not doing a good job theres no crime theres no nothing impeachment, theres no crime. I dont feel like im being impeached because its a hoax. Its a setup its a horrible thing they did. Reporter but on this Christmas Day, a more topical tone and message. On behalf of the entire trump family, we wish everyone and a joyous and Merry Christmas. Hallie joins us from south florida. Hallie, were also getting word of a key republican senator who is signaling that shes uncomfortable with how Mitch Mcconnell has been handling the impeachment process. What can you tell us reporter youre right, kristen. Were talking of Lisa Murkowski of alaska, a key moderate voice. Shes saying shes disturbed by senator mcconnell comments promising total coordination between republicans and the white house in an impeachment trial. It is still early in the process and ultimately democrats would need more republicans to break ranks in order to, for example, determine procedures like whether witnesses can be called. Kristen . Hallie jackson, thank you. Across the country now, christmas of weather extremes with recordhigh temperatures in some areas and a winter system that could mean trouble for holiday travelers as it moves east Steve Patterson is tracking it all. Reporter in a rare Holiday Twist wurngs of t twist, one of the few places across the country with a Whit Christmas is california. Snow fell in the mountains with up to two feet expected making for a skiers paradise most of it was in the usual mild west heavy snow in the grand canyon and a Christmas Day rain in phoenix for the first time in ten years. Meanwhile, across the midwest. Good morning and we are going to be warming up today. Reporter it was freakishly warm. Its beautiful. I mean, im a little warm just wearing this. Reporter in chicago, it came close to the warmest christmas in 147 years buddy hall says its one of th strangest things shes seen. I havent seen a christmas like this and im 60. Reporter most of the region is blanketed with unseasonable heat with some of the highest christmas temperatures in years from kansas city to st. Louis to louisville at or near 70 degrees. A far cry from southern california, where many are bracing for the worst with heavy rain across the region, all a few days after the area was pounded. As the holiday weekend, the california storms will clear out barreling east, hitting th planes from minnesota to texas bringing temperatures back down to reality for the midwest, potential headaches for travelers heading home and the biggest concern for the storm is that expected to strike in just the next few hours now is exactly what you see behind me these areas so badly scarred and burned from the recent wildfires we had, priming the hillsides for potential mudslides, which could come tonight it all depends on how much sustained rain we get, again, over the next few hours, kristen. Steve patterson, thank you for that report. The remains of an american soldier killed in combat in afghanistan returned home this morning. Top military officials attended the dignified transfer ceremony of 33yearold Sergeant Michael j. Gobel in delaware. The taliban has taken responsibility for the attack that killed gobel. To the shocking news about the death of a rising star at espn the 34yearold died on his birthday just weeks after being diagnosed with pneumonia Kerry Sanders reports tonight. Our colleague and friend Edward Ashoff died yesterday reporter only 34 years old edward was a star in the making. Coach, tough loss on the record. Reporter in recent years he made the transition from writing for espns website to oncamera work as he covered last months ohio state michigan game, his cough became worse a colleague says after going to the hospital, doctors determined he had pneumonia posting online, had a virus for two weeks and it morphed into this monster. Pneumonia causes fluid to collect in the lungs triggered by a virus, bacteria or a fungus while we dont know his cause of death, doctors say its typically treatable, but in certain cases, the infection just overwhelms someones immune system. Reporter tributes pouring in on social media. Espn producer and friend Melinda Adams tells nbc news, ed was a bright light, dimmed way too soon while his reporting was superior, its his kindness and joy for life we will miss. Ed ashoff died tuesday on his 34th birthday. He was engaged to be married next year writing about his fiancee in his final instagram post, love you babe, thanks for putting up with my 5 00 a. M. Coughing fits. Im Edward Ashoff, espn. Kerry sanders, nbc news. An unbelievable tragedy there. The texas father whose girlfriend was found mysteriously murdered shared a photo on facebook showing him back with his daughter baby margot is reunited back with her father. This week she and her mother, Heidi Broussard went missing earlier this month broussards friend has been arrested and charged. On two counts including kidnapping as the world celebrates christmas, were learning startling information about the Notre Dame Cathedral and its struggle to come back after that devastating fire in april Erin Mclaughlin has more reporter around the world, the faithful gather. Millions celebrate at the vatican, pope francis calling for peace saying change begins from the heart but in the heart of paris, there is sadness. For the first christmas in over 200 years, the beloved Notre Dame Cathedral is dark instead they celebrate across the senne, in another Gothic Church across from the louvre. It may not survive there is a 50 chance it will be saved. Eight months ago, the world watched in horror, as a blaze tore through the roof. The iconic gothic speyer gone. Officials warn the cathedral vulnerable hundreds of tons of ldscafinfog were put in place, part of a renovation effort. There is concern it could come crashing down on the already fragile structure. The governments goal to reopen by 2024 in time for the Paris Olympics but the rector says until the scaffolding is removed, they wont know if the cathedral will be saved. They will try to rebuild notre dame like it was before because of the symbol. Reporter so tonight in paris, determination and prayer, knowing it could be years before they find out if this Christmas Wish can come true in england tonight, the royal family celebrated christmas at the queens Country Estate but there were a number of family members who were not there. Molly hunter is in london with who was missing and who stole the spotlight. Reporter Queen Elizabeth leading the charge surrounded by most of the family but Little Princess charlotte stealing the show with her big brother, prince george, the first time at Traditional Christmas Service alongside their parents waving and hugging well wishers Prince Andrew keeping a low profile in the wake of the sorted scandal he opted for an earlier private Church Service with his brother Prince Charles and their father 98yearold Prince Phillip released yesterday from four nights in the hospital staying out of public view and prince harry and Meghan Markle also absent, spending christmas in canada with meghans mom, a friend of theirs posting a picture she says she took with Little Archie front and center i think its actually quite a smart move on harry and meghans behalf they can have their privacy they clearly yearn for. Reporter the queens family huddled around the televisio this afternoon to watch her annual christmas message and keen watchers of the crown may have noticed she started with the 50th anniversary of the moon walk. Millions of us were transfixed to our television screens. Reporter just weeks after netflix featured the astronauts visiting Buckingham Palace its a reminder to us all that giant leaps often start with small steps reporter she talked about helping others and acknowledged the bumpy year on her desk, a nod to family unity and outside this Christmas Day, the royal line of succession in full view. The queen spoke about the next generation as we close out the decade and kristen, this was the first christmas four generations all celebrated together. Kristen . Molly hunter, thank you. Still ahead tonight, first come the gifts and now the returns. What you need to know before your trip to the mall. Plus the heroic act to save santas gifts, just in the knick of time. And a christmas prayer answered the heartwarming story about a nurse and her new family were back with a postal worker in kansas, who is being credited with saving christmas that mailman, who has not been identified, says he was driving down a rural road when his truck caught fire. Thats when he jumped into action taking packages from the back of his postal truck and placing them on the side of the road the driver was able to save all the packages and the best gift . There were no reports of any injuries. While many received presents, that means there will be plenty of returns vicki nguyen with what you need to know before you head back to the store in tonights the price you pay. Reporter after ripping open those perfectly wrapped gifts, 75 of us will be heading to the return line. My mom got us pajamas and theyre so ugly, so were going to return them tomorrow. There was like a shirt that i got and i was looking at it like i would never wear this. Reporter but there are things to know before you go. You shouldnt have, lester maybe you get a gift you absolutely love, but it doesnt fit. You need to take it back but there is no gift receipt you want the products to be in perfect sellable condition if at all possible. Reporter that means saving whatever you can, tags, packaging, even hangers can help you get back top dollar. Want to save time and return those gift business mail watch for hidden costs some retailers will give you a return shipping label but still charge you for shipping. Once you ship, confirm the money goes back into your account and if youre headed to the store in person, make a list to organize and Check Store Policies timing your trip could help you avoid long lines and maximize your money back. If you can, wait a little bit after january 2nd, the crowds will be thinner, the lines will be shorter, but you want to try to reach the window january 3rd to january 15th, because after the 15th, some stores will not accept returns and give you the full credit. Reporter with the added inventory of all those returns, thats when many new sales will kick in. Vickie ngyuen. Great tips as you head to the stores. Were back in a moment with a story about a meeting at a hospital that changed not just one but two lives forever. In florida santas glided in not on sleighs, but on surfboards participating in a fundraiser. Proceeds help Cancer Patients and today more than 40,000 were raised. All this week were updating stories in tonights inspiring america, two separate lives that are now one happy family Kristen Dahlgren has their family. Reporter for liz submit, wrapping gifts with her daughter is a dream come true jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way reporter she always wanted to be a mom but time had gotten away from the 46yearold nurse. Ivf didnt work and then a chance encounter at work as soon as i met her something clicked. I said she needs me and i need her and i can do this. Reporter behind those beautiful blue eyes, a little baby in need born prematurely suffering from withdrawal from drugs her mother had taken, giselle needed a foster mother. When we started our journey as mom and daughter, it was something i imagined my whole life and every day it just got better and better. She never stops talking, singing or dancing from the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to bed. Reporter and last year, after 553 days of sharing laughter and love, a judge made it official. She taught me to appreciate every single day she taught me the, you know, power of resilience and the power of love. Reporter love that helped liz through the tough times recently when she lost her father, giselles papa im so grateful that i ha this gift to share with him for two years and she changed his life and my whole familys life. Reporter these holidays bring new meaning to liz family. Signing a christmas tag mom, i never realized that would bring tears to my eyes. Merry christmas, mom. Merry christmas, giselle. I love you. Reporter a Merry Christmas indeed Kristen Dahlgren, nbc news. What a miracle that is. When we come back, lester holt with a very special holiday message. Merry christmas and welcome to 1a control at 30 rock normally id be sitting there with producers calling out camera shots, video and graph graphics, as i like to say, making the magic happen. But ive come in here to turn the tables or turn the camera, if you will, on my teammates whether its me or jose or kate on the weekends, sitting in the chair were backed by a formidable and dedicated group of journalists working here in the u. S. And across the world. On this christmas night, thank you to all of you for joining us each night and im proud for you to meet our team right now at 6 00, an arrest is made in the killing of the brother of a 49er quarterback. Plus, a house tugofwar. Homeless mothers taking over a vacant oakland home. Tonight nbc bay area has obtained new Court Documents with a surprising strategy to let them keep that home. But first a new round of rain. We are in a micro climate weather alert. A Christmas Day storm that was a morning that started with thunder and hail, lightning, even some bay area snow. We had a white christmas. We got a break in the weather, its all coming to an end in the south bay. Rob, what have we got coming with the next round of rain . The day began pretty interestingly. Snow across mt. Hamilton, then the midday break, which is still relatively dry through the evening through san jose and christmas in the park. But storm ranger mobile doppler, you can see a lot of activity here in those christmastreelike colors in red, orange and yellow. Monterey to santa cruz, a band of showers coming in and notice the color coding. More snow. Snow levels as low as 3700 feet. Once again as the moisture continues to go from the southeast to the northwest this evening, mt. Hamilton yet again could get another coating of snow. From pacifica, and then cr