We celebrate 3 seasons of hope this week

Hanukkah … Christmas … Kwanzaa … Congress ... Likud ... Indian Ocean … NFL … college bowl games

view in browser update subscription preferences Sunday 12.22.19 What did you accomplish this year? Scientists discovered 71 new species in 2019, and these are some of their favorites. Here's what else you need to know to Start Your Week Smart. By Michelle Krupa & Eric Levenson   Newly released documents shed light on what happened after President Trump's infamous Ukraine call. Dreaming of a wet Christmas? Heavy rains prompted flood warnings along US coastlines. Americans must now be at least 21 years old to buy cigarettes or vapes. Nearly 100 members of the MS-13 gang were charged in a crackdown on Long Island. Eddie Murphy came back to "Saturday Night Live" after 35 years. Hanukkah begins at sunset The Jewish Festival of Lights starts today, commemorating the Maccabees' rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem after they recaptured it in a rebellion. In preparing the Temple, the faithful found only enough oil to light the menorah for one night, but it lasted for eight. The Hanukkah menorah recalls that miracle. Holiday travel is in full swing More Americans than ever are expected to hit the roads, rails and skies this season, with an estimated 115.6 million due to strike out through January 1. You can keep up with one very special traveler early in the week, with NORAD's Santa tracker.  Congress takes a holiday break After impeaching President Trump, the House is on vacation. But the next steps in the historic process are still in limbo. Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn't committed yet to sending the articles of impeachment to the Republican-held Senate, where Democrats aren't satisfied with the rules that would govern the trial. The Senate's GOP leader may move forward next month anyway. We wish you a Merry Christmas Christians the world over celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Wednesday. Pope Francis is due to deliver his "Urbi et Orbi" blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. And Queen Elizabeth II will share her Christmas message, a British tradition since 1932.   Kwanzaa celebrates African culture The seven-day festival begins Thursday. Each night, celebrants light a new candle on the kinara, a kind of candelabra, representing the holiday's seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Israel's Netanyahu faces a leadership challenge As the nation heads toward its third election in a year, the Prime Minister could be unseated within his own Likud party. Gideon Saar faces off Thursday against Benjamin Netanyahu, 70, who faces criminal indictment for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in a trio of criminal investigations. Russia, Iran and China hold joint naval exercises The operation, dubbed "Naval Security Belt," is expected to start Friday in the Indian Ocean, Iranian news media report. The drills unite three American rivals not long after the US flexed its own naval muscle in the Middle East.   Advertisement 'We've found a corpse' The job of the Eagles of the Desert is simple: Find and give a dignified burial to migrants who die trying to cross the southern US border. But their mission is not without strain and risk, especially now. Learn why in our series "No Olvidado," and check out CNN's weekend reads.    'Little Women' remake reveals what women really want Greta Gerwig, of "Lady Bird" fame, says directing this on-screen version of the Louisa May Alcott classic feels even more personal than her breakout film. The PG movie opens Wednesday. The planet relies on 'Spies in Disguise' Will Smith and Tom Holland join forces as a famous super spy and a young scientist who must save the world from an unusual vantage point. The PG-rated film hits theaters Wednesday.    NFL fates could be sealed  The Dallas Cowboys can clinch the NFC East with a win today over the Philadelphia Eagles. Watch at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox. Find all the Week 16 games here. College Football Playoff Semifinal teams face off It's No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Oklahoma, and No. 2 Ohio State against No. 3 Clemson on Saturday. Watch at 4 and 8 p.m., respectively, on ESPN. The games cap off a bowl-packed week. Check out all the match-ups here.   Let's go for a walk It's the first full week of winter. Whatever the weather where you are, we hope it feels like a wonderland! (Click here to listen.) Advertisement Share Tweet ALL CNN NEWSLETTERS update preferences or unsubscribe CNN Five Things shows up in your inbox every weekday at 6 a.m. ET and on Sundays at 9 a.m. ET. Like what you see? Don't like what you see? Let us know. We're all about self improvement. Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Sign yourself up! Sign up to get updates on your favorite CNN Original Series, special CNN news coverage and other newsletters. Copyright © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc. A WarnerMedia Company, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to CNN's 5 Things newsletter.