All Things Considered for December 25, 2014 Hear the All Things Considered program for December 25, 2014

All Things Considered

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Games & Humor

Listen: The Not-So-True Story Of Santa's Naughty-Or-Nice Division

So how does Santa know when you're awake? Our audio holiday card (fictionally) tells you how the North Pole operates — amid office politics, ethical conundrums and hours of surveillance video.

A New York Stock Exchange trader works on the floor on Dec. 17. Stocks rose nearly 300 points after the Federal Reserve announced it plans to begin raising interest rates next year. Andrew Burton/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Economy Weathers A Bad Winter And Other Storms To Finish 2014 Strong

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Michele Vaccaro buries a fig tree in the yard of Mary Menniti in Sewickley, Pa. Hal Klein for NPR hide caption

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Hal Klein for NPR

Why Bury Fig Trees? A Curious Tradition Preserves A Taste Of Italy

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An illustration depicts Jesus Christ transforming water into wine during the wedding at Cana (John 2:7). Joseph Martin Kronheim/Kean Collection/Getty Images hide caption

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Joseph Martin Kronheim/Kean Collection/Getty Images

What Would Jesus Drink? A Class Exploring Ancient Wines Asks

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Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Oliver Strewe/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Image hide caption

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Oliver Strewe/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Image

Parallels

After 522 Years, Spain Seeks To Make Amends For Expulsion Of Jews

4 min

After 522 Years, Spain Seeks To Make Amends For Expulsion Of Jews

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Florence Allen Jones, right, is part of the education ministry's classes-by-radio team. John W. Poole/NPR hide caption

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John W. Poole/NPR

Where Ebola Has Closed Schools, A Radio Program Provides A Faint Signal Of Hope

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Susan Tannewitz-Karnes grew up eating Mrs. Lawrence every Christmas. The tea cake was so beloved that Tannewitz-Karnes and her siblings would argue over who received more than their fair share. Courtesy of Susan Tannewitz-Karnes hide caption

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Courtesy of Susan Tannewitz-Karnes

Found Recipes

After The Presents, A Buttery Tea Cake Tradition

3 min

After The Presents, A Buttery Tea Cake Tradition

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All Things Considered