As a scientist who is also a Christian, Christmas hits different. The “scientific method” of Christmas? Every year we run an experiment. What happens when we collectively hit pause, look outside ourselves and prioritize kindness? The results are almost always reproducible: peace, connection and joy. The best gifts are not transactions. The act of giving changes the giver as much as the receiver. True power isn’t about dominance; it’s about humility. And seemingly insignificant gifts can transform the world. One takeaway: Hope isn’t a denial of reality. It’s the faith that tomorrow can be better than today.
Unless we’re talking about the weather. Santa is confused. A little drizzle or rain later Thursday? It may be cold enough for glaze ice in Brainerd to Duluth on Thursday night. Dry weather hangs on much of Friday and Saturday, followed by a cold smack Sunday, but no extended polar strangleholds.
It’s low confidence, but extended models suggest big swings, but overall temperatures close to normal into February. Merry Christmas!
