And walking in a Winter Wonderland, from sacks fifth avenue to radio city. How some of the most popular spots transform into this, the elves working behind the scenes to decorate america. A special edition of gma starts right now. Good morning, america, and Merry Christmas to everyone at home celebrating. Everyone here in the audience celebrating with us. Its actually not Christmas Morning. We are on tape so we can be home on this Holiday Spending time with our family. Im waving to myself in hawaii right now. On the beach. Weve got a very special show for you this morning. The nyu magical singers and jazz choir, so happy to have them back with us again this year singing some of our favorite Christmas Songs and theyll be doing it all morning long. How lucky are we and some really touching stories about incredible people stepping up to help those in need, including a 12yearold boy who spent the entire year collecting gifts for others. Thats what you call the christmas spirit. Yeah. Were going to get into of that but lets first go to abcs ron claybourne for the mornings top headlines. Robin, thanks. Good morning and a very Merry Christmas to all of you. We begin with the dangerous Winter Weather conditions affecting millions of traveler. Two storms are bringing snow and ice to the northeast and midatlantic and rain in the south. Theres also snow on the ground in the upper midwest where the temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for much of the week ahead. Its also a rare White Christmas in parts of the Pacific Northwest with snow swirling around seattles space needle but also icy conditions on the roads there before the rest of the mornings headlines. Lets now check on the weather near you. Breaking overnight, a deadly suicide bombing in afghanistan. At least six People Killed in an attack in the capital of kabul. Officials say the device was set off in an Afghan Intelligence office. Isis has taken responsibility for other recent attacks there. Guatemala says it will move its embassy in israel to jerusalem. The president of the Central American nation made that Christmas Eve announcement on facebook. Guatemala is one of only Nine Countries to vote against recognizing jerusalem as israels capital. Back in this country the first family is celebrating their first christmas together since mr. Trump took office back in january. The president also tweeting overnight, i am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase, Merry Christmas. Abcs Kenneth Moton has more from south florida. Reporter overnight, President Trump attended mass in south florida. Today and every day were incredibly thankful. Reporter the commanderinchief also spoke to the chiefs by Video Conference on Christmas Eve from his maralago resort. Trumps relentless attack on the media continues, retweeting this image. Look a little closer. Yes, thats the cnn logo squashed under his shoe. He also targeted Andrew Mccabe who trump has accused of bias during the Hillary Clinton email investigation. When you look at whats gone on with the fbi and the justice department, people are very angry. Reporter lawmakers have been concerned about the president s increasing attacks on the fbi, worried he will take aim at robert mueller, the special counsel and the investigation. Let mr. Mueller do his investigation without interference. Reporter the president facing scrutiny about remarks he allegedly made in the oval office about immigrants who had entered the u. S. Since he took office. The times says trump complained of 15,000 immigrants from haiti all have aids and the 40,000 nigeria immigrants would never go back to their huts in africa. I have no belief that that actually transpired. Reporter the white house stra strongly denies the president made those announcements sglrks christmas in full swing for britains royal family. The queen and family members attended Church Together with Meghan Markle appearing alongside prince harry. Now that santas job is done he appears to be heading to the beach, cocoa beach in south florida, hanging ten. Maybe the real santa was among those imposters. Lets send it back to times square. We hope youre enjoying this morning with your loved ones and now were going to hear from Cardinal Timothy dolan. This is dan harris. We have a key interview this Christmas Morning. This morning is a time of reflection on the true meaning of this day and joining us to talk about faith this Holiday Season and for the coming year is the arch bishop of new york, Timothy Cardinal dolan. Good morning, a blessed christmas to you and all the folks kind enough to be watching. Right back at you, sir. Theres a lot of concern you hear, this is something that i hear this time of year, is that the true meaning of the holiday is overwhelmed by materialism and commercialism and you have an interesting take on this issue. What is it . Well thanks for thinking its interesting. I think, to be gripe and whining that were too wrapped up in material things, counterproductive. Like it or not, people are buying, theyre giving, theyre sharing, theyre coming together in unity. Theyre eating together, theyre having a good time. That aint bad, dan. Ill take it, okay . Those in a way are spiritual values. See, we have always believed that every good thing in this life is a hint of the eternal gifts that god wants to give us, so why not just rejoice that people are sharing, theyre giving gifts, theyre forgiving one another, theyre meeting with people that they havent seen until this time last year. They got happy memories. Theyre making good resolutions. Those are all good things, darn it. Its almost like its antipasto to the main course which would be the gifts that god wants to give us, okay . So i dont get all that mad that people might seem to be distracted by the gifts and the getting and the giving of the season. Heck, lets make hay while the sun shines. That could be a good way to bring god into the picture, right . You talk about bringing people first of all, i love that answer. You talk about the importance and the meaning of bringing people together and communion at this time of year. However, weve just come through a long and were still in the middle of a long and difficult political season in this country. Families are divided over political issues. How can faith be a balm at this time . Yes. Balm, not a bomb. Precisely, dan, by reminding us of eternal things. All this stuff is going to pass, all this other stuff. It might be korea, washington, moscow. We center on bethlehem and the gifts that god gives us. Look, youre in the business of news, right . If you went back and rerouwound tapes to last year or the year before, you would be saying the same thing. But darn it, the human project endures. Its like god is saying, i love what i created. I love creation. I love creatures. Boy are there a lot of ruffles, a lot of rough things. Sometimes my creatures dont act the way that i wish they did but im not giving up on them, okay . We got that affirmation of the basic goodness and dignity of the human person and the sacredness of human life from god himself, affirmed especially on christmas when he actually entered human history. If that doesnt give us consolation, i dont know what will. You make my job way too easy. All i have to do is ask you two simple questions and you fill the air with wisdom. So thank you. Thank you. I had three good eggnogs before i came on. Well said. Back to you. I love how our audience has transformed into these wonderful helpers on Christmas Day. The city transforms into a Winter Wonderland as well. Ginger, you went to the north pole . This is unbelievable. I didnt know it existed but it does, from 18fool long candy canes to the Christmas Tree at radio city music hall, this place is your fantasy 4r57bd. Reporter its the most wonderful time of the year in new york city and along famed fifth avenue, all the halls are decked and glowing with christmas cheer. But before the city transforms into a Winter Wonderland, the holiday magic all starts here. This year we have installed about 1,000 Christmas Trees and over 10,000 wreaths and almost 5 million lights. Reporter fred is ceo of american christmas, in charge of decorating many of manhattans most famous buildings. We decorate radio city music hall and do everything for Rockefeller Center except the Christmas Tree. We do of course sacks fifth avenue and cartier. Ferragamo. Small companies. Reporter from trees and wreaths to bows and garland and ornaments, novelty items, the companys 110,000 square foot warehouse has it all. This is our decorations department. I feel like i want the go shopping but thats not what this is for. Reporter if the buildings big, the decorations are even bigger. I will go ahead and say it, the biggest wreath ive ever seen. This is a 16foot diameter wreath with a pretty giant bow. These are 18foot tall candy canes that hang at 9 west 57th street. Theres nothing probably more iconic than a completely lit up panth panther. Cartier is a client of ours and we developed panthers for them that sit on the ledges of the exteriors of their stores. This is a rendering that we did for sacks fifth avenue. Reporter one of their standout projects, this dazzling Department Store light show. More than half a million lights synchronized to music leaving audiences wowed. For fred and his team, the business of christmas is a yearround job. During the busy season we have 200 employees. Wow. So 65 full time and 135 seasonal. Our seasonal people start coming back june 1st. Reporter but those months of tireless work are all worth it in the end. It really is a tremendous feeling to walk through the city with family and friends and really enjoy what weve accomplished. That place was so special. I think the next natural step is letting us all in so we can shop. Every ornament of over size and color. I love a good christmas shop and that place would do it for me. I need some stuff for the house. Ginger, thank you for that. Christmas cheer is also spreading to theaters this season. One of our favorite holiday movies elf its going from the big screen to the big stage and amy got to see it all behind the scenes. Santa, santa reporter its the ultimate Christmas Movie elf, brought to life in elf the musical. Why do you think this story resonates . Its become the new iconic Christmas Movie. Its become the story that everybody wants at christmastime. Everyone gathers around and watches elf because its contemporary and feels like today and its a story that everybody can connect to. Reporter i went backstage at the theatre in new york citys Madison Square garden to get the inside christmas scoop starting with the magnificent costumes. You have Christmas Trees sort of hidden underneath like a Little Christmas surprise. Yeah, its absolutely stunning. And then this is santa claus. I mean, it doesnt get more magical than this. This is a great family show. So i brought my family. My daughters are here with us. Theyre going to be little elves. This goes above the knees and you look like youre the right height of a Christmas Town elf. There you go. My girls and i were transformed into magical elves. Thinking about how happy the elves are in Christmas Town. Happy all the time, ball change. Were happy all the time. You got it. I think you would be great in the show. Reporter next up, we tried the local cuisine made by the one and only buddy. The five food groups are cookies, candy, candy canes, candy corn and sear up. Its really all about putting so much syrup over the top. The verdict is . Its really good. Reporter after a hardy meal we got some exercise doing what buddy does best. Its the ultimate christmas story guaranteed to put a smile on everyones face. The end. Elf the musical is at Madison Square garden through december 29th. Back to you guys. Im excited. Big screen to the big stage. I want to deliver the line, hey buddy, hope you find your dad. From the theatre to basketball, if youre a big basketball fan, get excited. The nba has not one but five marquee matchups today. Michael, christmas for the nba means a lot more than whats happening on the court, we understand. Absolutely. These guys are great on the court and great off the court too. Some of the biggest stars are also making a huge difference, spreading cheer with the nba cares program. T. J. Holmes has the story. Reporter on the court 64, 210 pound point guard john wall is a force to be reckoned with. For three, john wall reporter but when hes not balling, hes giving back to the d. C. Community, mentoring and experiencing families in need through his John Wall Family Foundation and nba cares. My mom instilled in me you can be known as graeat basketbal player but be known as a great person. Reporter wall hosted a private advanced screening of jumanji, welcome to the jungle, for 200 underprivileged kids with help and a special message. Taking some kids to see ju man ji. It was easy to place that call, was it not . Yeah. Im grateful to kevin hart. I wanted to show these guys the movie before the holidays and get them tickets to a game and for them to bless me with a private screening. Reporter but that wasnt the only holiday trick up this wizards sleeve. Wall had one more surprise for one special family. Harrison, where you at . Reporter the family fell on hard times. Mom is battling cancer. Dad lost his job. Inspired by their story, wall gifted them 1,000 worth of groceries, tickets to a wizards game and paid tuition for the twins private school. Mom and dad, thats one less thing yall have to worry about. Thank you so much for your generosity and your kind spirit. Just having a bad year this year and i really appreciate it. What stood out to you about this family . I lost my dad at the age of nine from cancer so i know how it is to deal with a parent thats battling and to hear their mom is going through that i wanted to help. Reporter at that wizards game, the fields had a field day watching on as the wizards beat the clippers. For Good Morning America, t. J. Holmes, abc news, washington. And he will go to the line nothing like a little basketball. Dont forget to watch the games. Knicks are taking on the 76ers on espn and a triple header kicks off 7 00 p. M. On Adrienne Bankert abc with the cavs and the warriors. Your complete guide to holiday gifts. How to use the hottest gadgets this season and what to do if you didnt get exactly what youre looking for. Say thank you. Thats right. A great time to watch new movies with your family. Well tell you what to see this week as the oscar race heats up. Plus your favorite Christmas Songs, we got them coming at you all morning long right here on abc and gma. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way were out here in puerto rico coming from hiohio and we would like to wish you guys a very Merry Christmas. Whoo i saw the change in rich when we moved into the new house. But having his parents over was enlightening. You dont like my lasagna . No, its good. Hmm. Oh. Huh. [ both laugh ] here, blow. Blow on it. You see it, right . Is there a draft in here . Im telling you, its so easy to get Home Insurance on progressive. Com. Progressive cant save you from becoming your parents. But we can save you money when you bundle home and auto. Prothats the new rockstar. From becoming your parents. 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