Christmas

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Firefighter Nick Tamburro pays respects outside the Stamford, Conn., home where a Christmas morning fire killed three girls and their grandparents. Officials said fireplace ashes in a bag started the fire that devoured the large Victorian house. (Associated Press)

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Shoppers file through Macy's at the Tysons Corner Center mall in McLean, Va., for returns and after-Christmas sales on Dec. 26, 2011. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/ The Washington Times)

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Shoppers walk among Christmas decorations in the Tysons Corner Center mall in McLean, Va., for returns and after-Christmas sales. Tysons Corner Center reports a 10 percent jump in foot traffic compared to last year's holiday season. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/ The Washington Times)

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Caitlin Schultz, 18, of Waldorf, Md., at left, crosses bridge near decorations of hanging lights as shoppers crowd the Tysons Corner Center mall in McLean, Va., for returns and after-Christmas sales on Dec. 26, 2011. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/ The Washington Times)

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This artwork by M. Ryder relates to Hanukkah and Christmas.

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Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl blesses Rita George of Silver Spring, Md., at a Christmas dinner in the basement of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception following Christmas Mass, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Former Speaker of the House and current Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista Gingrich depart following Christmas Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Former Speaker of the House and current Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista Gingrich depart following Christmas Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Former Speaker of the House and current Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich poses for photos with fellow worshippers following Christmas Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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An altar server makes his way down the center isle at the conclusion of the Christmas Mass celebrated by Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl speaks to worshippers at Christmas Mass held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Worshippers follow along with the service during Christmas Mass celebrated by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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A woman lights a candle during Christmas Mass celebrated by Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Altar servers wait in the wings as Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl celebrates Christmas Mass held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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The Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl greets a young worshiper during Christmas Mass held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl makes his way down the center isle at the beginning of Christmas Mass held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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A woman and two girls share a silent moment in prayer together as the Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl celebrates Christmas Mass held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Christmas Day, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Antonio Alarcon opens the door to a shrine for the Virgin of Charity outside his home decorated in Christmas lights on Christmas Eve in Havana, Cuba, late Saturday Dec. 24, 2011. Cuban faithful celebrating Christmas say they have plenty to cheer this year as they prepare for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI, the first visit by a pontiff to the Communist-run island since John Paul II's historic tour nearly 14 years ago. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)