CALIFORNIA, Md. — The sleigh bells are ringing, and Santa Claus is officially on the move. With his iconic team of reindeer and a sleigh packed to the brim with gifts, Santa has begun his annual mission to deliver holiday cheer to children around the world.
NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, has confirmed that the jolly old elf departed the North Pole early this morning and is currently navigating his way across various time zones, visiting homes with unparalleled efficiency.
“He’s faster than ever this year,” said NORAD spokesperson Capt. Jamie Lawrence. “The reindeer are in top shape, and Rudolph’s nose is shining brighter than ever—perfect for navigating through winter storms.”
Families across Southern Maryland are eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival, leaving cookies and milk by the fireplace and tracking his progress via the NORAD Santa Tracker. As of this morning, Santa was seen soaring over Asia, with plans to begin deliveries in North America later tonight.
Curious about Santa’s exact location? NORAD’s live operators are available to answer calls at 1-877-HI-NORAD from 6 a.m. to midnight MST. You can also follow Santa’s journey online through the NORAD Santa Tracker, which provides real-time updates and whimsical animations of his journey.
Photo credit – NORAD Tracks Santa
While Santa’s schedule is a closely guarded secret, experts predict he’ll reach Southern Maryland sometime between 9 p.m. and midnight, so kids are encouraged to head to bed early to ensure a visit from the big man himself.
“Santa’s magic only works when little ones are asleep,” said local parent John Turner. “We’ve got the stockings hung, the cookies ready, and the kids tucked in—it’s the most exciting night of the year!”
Stay tuned to The BayNet for continuous updates on Santa’s journey throughout Christmas Eve. From all of us here, happy holidays and may your season be merry and bright!
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
