>>> TONIGHT, THE RACE TO GET THERE. THE GROUND STOPS SNARLING ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST TRAVEL HUBS. HEAVY FOG HALTING FLIGHTS AND THE STORM FRONT COMPLICATING TRAVEL FOR THE LAST WAVE OF PASSENGERS TRYING TO GET HOME IN TIME. WHERE THE SYSTEM IS HEADED NEXT, BRINGING HEAVY RAIN WITH IT. >>> AND THE CHILD LAST IN THE SHUFFLE, FLYING ALONE AND SENT TO THE WRONG CITY. WHAT THE AIRLINE IS SAYING TONIGHT. >>> DEEP INSIDE HAMAS TUNNELS. NEW VIDEO FROM UNDERGROUND AS ISRAEL'S MILITARY SAYS THAT'S WHERE THEY FOUND THE BODIES OF FIVE HOSTAGES. THE LATEST ON THE LONG-SHOT EFFORT TO RESTART NEGOTIATIONS WITH REPORTS OF DOZENS KILLED IN A NEW REFUGEE CAMP STRIKEOVER NIGHT AS NEW WARNING SIGNS THE CONFLICT COULD EXPAND. A TANKER STRUCK BY IRAN AN OCEAN AWAY. >>> PLUS, THE POPE'S MESSAGE OF PEACE AND RICHARD ENGEL'S RARE ACCESS IN BETHLEHEM. A SILENT NIGHT IN THE HOLY LAND DURING WARTIME. >>> COVID, FLU, AND RSV ON THE RISE. THE NEW CDC WARNING OF SHARP INCREASES IN CASES JUST AS FAMILIES GET TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS. >>> AND BACK TO THE BUMPER CROP AT THE CABBAGE PATCH. OUR VISIT TO THE TINY TOWN WHERE THE ICONIC DOLLS ARE STILL BEING BORN 40 YEARS AFTER THE NATIONWIDE FRENZY. >> Announcer: THIS IS NBC "NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH KATE SNOW. >>> GOOD EVENING. I'M GARRET HAAKE IN FOR KATE. A NEAR RECORD NUMBER OF AMERICANS HAVE BRAVED THE LONG LINES AND THE COMPLICATED LOGISTICS TO GET HOME THIS CHRISTMAS EVE. BUT FOR THOSE WAITING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, THE OUTLOOK IS FOGGY TONIGHT AFTER A KEY HUB SPENT MUCH OF THE DAY AT A STANDSTILL. AND A STORM SYSTEM THAT LEFT ROADS A MESS IN THE PLAINS IS NOW TRACKING EASTWARD, SET TO BRING HEAVY RAINS FROM THE GREAT LAKE TUESDAY THE SOUTHEAST. STILL, IT'S NOTHING COMPARED TODAY A YEAR AGO WHEN THE LUGGAGE OF SOUTHWEST FLIERS LITTED CAROUSELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. SHAQUILLE BRUSTER STARTS US OFF IN THE EPICENTER. AND CHICAGO IS THE CENTER OF A LOT OF TRAVEL WOES TODAY. >> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT. AND IT'S STRUGGLING TO CATCH UP. MORE THAN HALF THE FLIGHTS DELAYED TODAY AS FOLKS STRUGGLED TO RACE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. TONIGHT ROUGH WEATHER ACROSS THE COUNTRY SLOWING DOWN THE CHRISTMAS EVE TRAVEL RUSH. >> A LITTLE BIT STRESSED BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MISS MY FLIGHT. >> Reporter: DENSE FOG CAUSING A GROUND STOP AT CHICAGO'S MIDWAY AIRPORT. MORE THAN 300 FLIGHTS CANCELED AND DELAYED LEADING TO LONG LINES AND FRUSTRATED PASSENGERS. >> TRIED TO LEAVE YESTERDAY. WE HAD AN EVENING FLIGHT, AND IT WAS DELAYED, DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE FOG AND THEN EVENTUALLY CANCELED. >> Reporter: WITH 40 MILLION ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES UNDER FOG ALERTS EARLIER TODAY, THE WEATHER CAUSING A RIPPLE EFFECT OF MORE THAN 3,000 DELAYS NATIONWIDE, TRAPPING PASSENGERS LIKE DOREEN VORHEES, STUCK FOR OVER 15 HOURS. YOU WERE GOING TO DRIVE FROM FLORIDA. >> BECAUSE CHRISTMAS IS IMPORTANT AND IT'S IMPORTANT I'M WITH MY KIDS. >> Reporter: THOSE TRAVELING BY ROAD MET WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ACROSS THE ROCKIES AND NORTHERN PLAINS. HEAVY SNOW AND HIGH WINDS CAUSING THIS SEMI-TRUCK TO SLIDE OFF THE ROAD IN NEBRASKA. THE TRAVEL TROUBLE COMING DURING WHAT'S PROJECTED TO BE ONE OF THE BUSIEST TRAVEL SEASONS ON RECORD. IN FLORIDA, A 6-YEAR-OLD BOY FLYING ALONE WAS MISTAKENLY PUT ON THE WRONG FLIGHT BY A SPIRIT AIRLINES EMPLOYEE. THE AIRLINE NOW APOLOGIZING TO THE FAMILY, SAYING THE CHILD WAS ALWAYS UNDER THE CARE AND SUPERVISION OF A SPIRIT TEAM MEMBER, AND AS SOON AS WE DISCOVERED THE ERROR, WE TOOK IMMEDIATE STEPS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE FAMILY AND RECONNECT THEM. BUT NO NATIONWIDE DISRUPTION THIS YEAR FOR SOUTHWEST AFTER LAST YEAR EMPHASIS HOLIDAY MELT DOWN LED TO NEARLY 17,000 CANCELED FLIGHTS AND 2 MILLION STRANDED PASSENGERS INCLUDING DOREEN. >> CAN'T CONTROL THE WEATHER. YOU JUST CAN'T. AND WITH CHICAGO, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. >> Reporter: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT LAST. AND GARRET, BACK HERE IN CHICAGO YOU SEE THE GROWING LINE OF PASSENGERS HOPING TO REBOOK ONTO NEW FLIGHTS. JUST A SIGN THAT THE IMPACT FROM TODAY'S WEATHER DELAYS WILL LIKELY EXTEND INTO TOMORROW. >> SHAQ BRUSTER IN CHICAGO. SHAQ, THANK YOU. >>> AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST WE'RE GETTING NEW INSIGHT INTO THE HAMAS TUNNELS CHRIS CROSSING UNDER GAZA WHERE ISRAELI FORCES RECENTLY FOUND THE BODIES OF FIVE HOSTAGES. IT COMES AS NEW AIR STRIKES REPORTEDLY HAVE LEFT DOZENS DEAD IN A GAZA REFUGEE CAMP IN ONE OF THE DEADLIEST SINGLE ATTACKS OF THE WAR. JOSH LETTERMAN REPORTS. >> Reporter: TONIGHT THE WORLD IS SEEING JUST HOW DEEPLY HAMAS HAS BURROWED ITSELF UNDERNEATH THE GAZA STRIP. ISRAEL'S MILITARY RELEASING A NUMBER OF EDITED VIDEOS COMPLETE A WITH SHOWER A TOILET, EXTENSIVE PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL GEAR, AIR TANKS, EVEN A WATER COOLER. THE IDF SAYS THE TUNNEL NETWORK COMPRISED TWO LEVELS DOZENS OF FEET UNDERGROUND THAT COMPRISED A SCHOOL AND A HOSPITAL. NBC NEWS CANNOT VERIFY THOSE CLAIMS. ISRAEL ALSO REVEALING IT FOUND THE BODIES OF FIVE HOSTAGES UNDER THE TUNNELS. THEIR DEATHS WERE ALREADY KNOWN. THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE NOT. AS EFFORTS TO FREE MORE THAN 100 REMAINING HOSTAGES APPEARS STALLED, ISRAEL IS REELING FROM ONE OF ITS DEADLIEST STRETCHES OF THE WAR. 15 ISRAELI TROOPS KILLED SINCE FRIDAY ACCORDING TO THE IDF. PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU SAYING TODAY ISRAEL IS DEEPENING THE FIGHT IN THE GAZA STRIP WHERE TONIGHT ONE OF THE DEADLIEST STRIKES OF THE WAR KILLED AT LEAST 70 AT CENTRAL GAZA'SRAPHYGY CAMP, THE HAMAS PALESTINIAN RUN HEALTH MINISTRY SAID, LEAVING A SEA OF BODY BAGS OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL. THE IDF SAYS IT'S REVIEWING THE INCIDENT. FOR PALESTINIANS THROUGHOUT GAZA, THE WAR'S COST IS STAGGERING. THE FAMILY FROM NORTH EASTERN GAZA FLED THREE TIMES TO SAFETY WITH THEIR THREE CHILDREN, ALL WITH DISABILITIES. UPON FINALLY REACHING RAFAH, THEY SAY AN ISRAELI MISSILE STRIKE NEAR A U.N. SCHOOL DESTROYED THEIR TENT AND THEIR SON'S WHEELCHAIR. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE HIM TO THE BATHROOM, SHE SAYS. HE CAN'T GO BY HIMSELF. MY THIRD SON CAN'T WALK AT ALL. HOW CAN I HELP THEM? IN A PHONE CALL THIS WEEKEND PRESIDENT BIDEN URGED NETANYAHU TO PROTECT GAZA'S CIVILIANS BUT STOPPED SHORT OF DEMANDING HE CALL OFF THE WAR. AND THE CONFLICT IS INCREASINGLY SPILLING OUT OF GAZA AND ACROSS THE REGION. NEW CLASHES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HEB NONHEZBOLLAH, IRAN BACKED HOUTHIS IN YEMEN LAUNCHING DRONES TOWARD A U.S. NAVY SHIP IN THE RED SEA. AND THE U.S. SAYING A DRONE FIRED FROM IRAN STRUCK A CHEMICAL TANKER IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. IT'S THE FIRST TIME THE U.S. HAS ACCUSED IRAN ITSELF OF ATTACKING THE SHIP SINCE THE WAR BEGAN. AND GARRET, ONE OF THE REASONS THESE IRAN-LINKED ATTACKS ARE SO ALARMING IS THAT IRAN HAS BEEN THREATENING TO CLOSE INTERNATIONAL WATERWAYS INCLUDING THE MEDITERRANEAN UNLESS THE U.S. STOPS ISRAEL'S WAR IN GAZA. >> AND JOSH, EVEN AS THE FIGHTING IN GAZA SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE, IS THERE ANY PROGRESS BEING MADE IN TALKS FOR A NEW PAUSE? >> Reporter: WELL, ISRAELI AND ARAB MEDIA SAY THAT EGYPT IS PUSHING A PROPOSAL TO TRADE 40 HOSTAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR A AMOUNT-WEEK PAUSE IN THE FIGHTING. BUT HAMAS HAS BEEN INSISTING NO MORE HOSTAGES WILL BE RELEASED UNLESS THERE IS A PERMANENT CEASE-FIRE. AND SO AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE IS NO DEAL. GARRET? >> JOSH LETTERMAN ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL. JOSH, THANK YOU. >>> NOW TO THE LATEST TWIST IN THE COURT BATTLE BETWEEN THE SPECIAL COUNSEL AND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. HIS LEGAL TEAM ASKING AN APPEALS COURT TO DISMISS THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS INTERFERENCE CASE AGAINST HIM. IT COMES AFTER THE SUPREME COURT DECLINED TO FAST TRACK THE CASE. MR. TRUMP HAS ARGUED THAT PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY PROTECTS HIM FROM PROSECUTION OVER HIS EFFORTS TO OVERTURN THE 2020 ELECTION. >>> AND IN CALIFORNIA OUTRAGE TONIGHT AFTER A MOTHER WAS FATALLY SHOT WHEN SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO HER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALL. LIZ KREUTZ SPOKE TO HER FATHER AND HUSBAND LATE DETAILS TONIGHT. >> Reporter: TONIGHT QUESTIONS MOUNTING OVER THE DEATH OF 27-YEAR-OLD MOTHER NIANI FIN LAYSON. HER FAMILY SAYS SHE WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE IN FRONT OF HER 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AFTER CALLING 911 SEEKING HELP FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. FIN LAYSON'S FAMILY HAS FILED A LEGAL CLAIM, THE FIRST STEP TO FILING A LAWSUIT. IN IT THEY ALLEGE IN EARLY DECEMBER FIN LAYSON CALLED FOR HELP AFTER HER ESTRANGED BOYFRIEND WOULD NOT LEAVE HER HOME. >> IT'S THE WORSTEST NIGHTMARE YOU EVER WANT TO GO THROUGH. >> Reporter: THE LOS ANGELES SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAID WHEN POLICE ARRIVED THEY SAW FIN LAYSON HOLDING A LARGE KNIFE, MAKING VERBAL THREATS, INDICATING SHE MAY HARM THE MAN. THEY SAY WHEN SHE APPROACHED HIM, THAT'S WHEN DEPUTIES FIRED THE FATAL SHOT. BUT FIN LAYSON'S FAMILY DISPUTES THAT ACCOUNT, AND ACCORDING TO THE CLAIM EVEN THE EX-BOYFRIEND TOLD AUTHORITIES THERE WAS NO REASON TO SHOOT FINLAYSON. WHAT ARE YOU ASKING? >> I'M ASKING FOR JUSTICE. YOU COULDN'T MACE HER? YOU COULDN'T USE A STUN GUN? >> Reporter: FINLAYSON'S DISTRAUGHT GRANDMA SAW THE TRAUMATIC SITUATION UNFOLD. THE YOUNG GIRL SAID SHE GAVE HER MOM THE KNIFE FOR SELF-DEFENSE. >> HE WAS HURTING MY MOTHER AND ME. I DIDN'T HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GET SOMETHING SHARP. >> Reporter: FINLAYSON'S FAMILY ANNOUNCED THEY ARE NOW SUING THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR $30 MILLION, ALLEGING WRONGFUL DEATH AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. IN A STATEMENT, THE LOS ANGELES SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAYING THEY ARE REVIEWING THE INCIDENT AND WILL RELEASE THE BODY CAMERA VIDEO BY NEXT WEEK. BUT TONIGHT, A FATHER MOURNS THE LOSS OF HIS DAUGHTER. >> I SING ALL THE TIME "MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR," WELL, THE THIS IS THE MOST WORST TIME OF MY LIFE FOR YEARS AND YEARS TO COME. I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET HER BACK. >> Reporter: LIZ KREUTZ, NBC NEWS, LOS ANGELES. >>> AS TRAVELERS RUSH TO SEE FAMILY AND LOVED ONES FOR THE HOLIDAYS, THE CDC IS WARNING ABOUT A SHARP UPTICK IN RESPIRATORY ILLNESS. JESSE KIRSCH HAS THE LATEST. >> Reporter: AS MILLIONS TRAVEL THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, TONIGHT COVID AND FLU ARE ALSO ON THE MOVE. THE CDC RELEASING THIS NEW MAP SHOWING VERY HIGH FLU-LIKE ILLNESS LEVELS ACROSS THE SOUTH WITH ACTIVITY TRENDING UP IN THE MIDWEST AND NORTHEAST. OFFICIALS BELIEVE RSV CASES HAVE PEAKED FOR THE SEASON. BUT THE CDC SAYS WEEKLY FLU HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS ARE INCREASING. COVID CASES ARE ALSO RISING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THAT'S KEEPING MEDICAL TEAMS BUSY LIKE AT CHICAGO'S NORTH WESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL DR. MARK SALA WORKS IN THE ICU. WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU SEE THOSE CASES CLIMBING? >> WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR ONGOING, MORE AND MORE CASES AND LIFE SUPPORT IN THE ICU. >> Reporter: NORTH WESTERN MEDICINE SAID BACK IN OCTOBER BEDS LIKE THESE WERE FILLED WITH PATIENTS DEALING WITH A RANGE OF ISSUES. BUT NOW JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS THE HOSPITAL SAYS A MAJORITY OF PATIENTS IN THIS ICU ARE DEALING WITH RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES. WITH MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING LARGELY GONE, DR. SALA SAYS WE'RE LOOKING AT A NEW KIND OF HOLIDAY SEASON. >> I GUESS A CORNUCOPIA OF ALL THESE VIRUSES WE HAVE KNOWN BEFORE THAT HAVE COME BACK AND ALSO THE COVID WE WERE DEALING WITH BEFORE. >> Reporter: THIS WINTER MIX BRINGING A REMINDER TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS. >> SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS, GETTING VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK, WASH YOUR HANDS, AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES AND NOSE AND MOUTH WHEN YOU'RE IN PUBLIC. AND I THINK THOSE ARE THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP STAY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, THE ICU, AND PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES. >> Reporter: LESSONS FROM A PANDEMIC TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY HEADING INTO THE NEW YEAR. JESSE KIRSCH, NBC NEWS, CHICAGO. >>> STILL AHEAD TONIGHT, THE POPE'S MESSAGE OF PEACE WITH THE WORLD AT WAR. AND ON CHRISTM >>> WE'RE BACK WITH A CHRISTMAS EVE MESSAGE OF PEACE FROM POPE FRANCIS AT THE VATICAN WHERE HE PRAYED FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM MISERY, SLAVERY, AND ESPECIALLY WAR. THE POPE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THOSE IMPACTED BY THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR AND THE WAR IN UKRAINE. HE'S PRESIDING OVER CHRISTMAS MASS TONIGHT AND WILL DELIVER HIS CHRISTMAS DAY MESSAGE TOMORROW. >>> CHRISTMAS EVE LOOKS A LOT DIFFERENT IN BETHLEHEM THIS YEAR, ONE OF THE HOLIEST PLACES IN THE WORLD AFTER THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR SHUTDOWN VISITS TO THE BIRTHPLACE OF JESUS. AND AS RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS PEOPLE THERE ARE PRAYING FOR PEACE NOW MORE THAN EVER. >> Reporter: THE CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL BELIEVE A STAR GUIDED THE THREE WISE MEN TO BETHLEHEM CARRYING GIFTS OF GOLD, FRANKINSENSE AND MYRRH. CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS ARE CANCELED IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE OF GAZA. IN MANGER SQUARE THERE'S NO TREE NOR LIGHTS, INSTEAD A CREST SHOWS BABY JESUS IN A DESTROYED BUILDING TO REPRESENT THE VICTIMS IN GAZA. BETHLEHEM IS IN THE WEST BANK. THE PEOPLE HERE ARE PALESTINIANS. GAZA IS ONLY 50 MILES AWAY. RICHARD TABASH, A PALESTINIAN CHRISTIAN, OWNS ONE OF THE BIGGIEST STORES IN BETHLEHEM. AND A LOT OF YOUR CARVINGS ARE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS THE NATIVITY SCENE. >> BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT REPRESENTS BETHLEHEM. THIS IS WHERE ALL THE STORY STARTED. >> Reporter: HE SAID HE'S NORMALLY SEE UP TO 10 BUS LOADS OF VISITORS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. AND WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A SINGLE CUSTOMER? >> IT WAS ON THE 6th OF OCTOBER, JUST A DAY BEFORE THE WAR. THEN FROM THE 7th UP TO TODAY, IT'S ZERO BUSINESS. >> Reporter: AT THEIR HOME WE MET HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTERS. NO WREATHS OR PRESENTS THIS YEAR. 9-YEAR-OLD SOPHIA SAYS THE HOLIDAY ISN'T ABOUT TOYS ANYWAY. >> WE DIDN'T EVEN DECORATE ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE WAR AND INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE DYING. AND I FEEL SO BAD FOR THEM. >> SO NO PRESENTS FOR YOU? >> NO. >> Reporter: DOES THAT BOTHER YOU? >> NO. CHILDREN IN GAZA THEY DON'T GET GIFTS OR ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE WAR. >> Reporter: AT THE HEART OF BETHLEHEM IS THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. BUT PASS THROUGH THE DOOR OF HUMILITY NOW AND YOU'LL FIND ALMOST NO ONE. WE MET REVEREND MITRI RAHAB. IN THIS SACRED PLACE, A SPECIAL TIME DO YOU HAVE A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FOR OUR VIEWERS? >> MY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE IS JESUS WERE BORN TO BRING PEACE TO THIS WORLD AND THE BALL IS IN OUR COURT. WE ARE ALL INVITED TO BE PEACE MAKERS AND NOT PEACE TALKERS. WE ARE FED UP WITH PEACE TALKERS AND PEACE TALKS. IT'S TIME FOR PEACE MAKING. >> Reporter: BELOW THE ALTER IS THE GROTTO, THE SPOT WHERE TRADITION SAYS JESUS WAS BORN. PILGRIMS CAN WAIT UP TO 4 HOURS FOR A GLIMPSE OF THIS. WE WERE ALONE TO WITNESS THE RITUALS THAT HAVE CONTINUED UNINTERRUPTED FOR ROUGHLY 2,000 YEARS. SPIRITUALLY CHRISTMAS ISN'T CANCELED, BUT NO ONE IS IN THE MOOD HERE FOR A CELEBRATION, NOT EVEN FOR JESUS' BIRTHDAY. RICHARD ENGEL, NBC NEWS, BETHLEHEM. >>> WE'LL TAKE A BREAK. WHEN WE RETURN, 40 YEARS SINCE THE CABBAGE PATCH CRAZE. WE'LL TAKE YOU TO THE SMALL TOWN WHERE IT NEVER ENDED. >>> PLUS WHY HUNDREDS OF TUBA AND EUPHONIUM >>> IT'S BEEN 40 YEARS SINCE CABBAGE PATCH KIDS TOOK THE COUNTRY BY STORM SENDING PARENTS, KIDS, AND TOY STORES INTO A FRENZY. BUT AS JOE FRYER REPORTS, DECADES LATER THEY ARE STILL BEING BORN AND GETTING ADOPTED. >> Reporter: WHEN THE CABBAGE PATCH KIDS EXPLODED ON THE SCENE IN 1983 -- THE HARMONIOUS ADS WERE AT ODDS. >> SHOPPERS WENT WILD. >> Reporter: WITH WHAT IT TOOK TO ACTUALLY ACQUIRE ONE. >> I GOT MY DOLL! >> Reporter: TOY STORES TURNED INTO WRESTLING RINGS. A BLOOD SPORT FOR A STUFFED TOY. THERE WERE VICTORS -- >> THERE SHE IS. HELLO. >> Reporter: JENNIFER HARRIS MARKS WAS 13 WHEN SHE GOT KARINNE MARIE, ONE OF THE LAST DOLLS ON THE STORE SHELF. >> YOU'LL DO WHATEVER YOU CAN, AND IF THAT MEANS FIGHTING IN THE TOY AISLES, YOU'LL FIGHT IN THE TOY AISLES. >> I NEVER EXPECTED RIOTS IN DEPARTMENT STORES. >> Reporter: XAVIER ROBERTS CREATED THE CABBAGE PATCH KIDS WHICH WERE UNLIKE ANY OTHER DOLLS ON THE MARKET AT THAT TIME. THEY WERE DISTINCTIVE AND DIVERSE. EACH ONE HAD A UNIQUE NAME AND BIRTHDAY. >> YOU WEREN'T BUYING A DOLL. YOU WERE ADOPTING A CABBAGE PATCH BABY. >> Reporter: THE MUSEUM OF PLAY WHICH JUST INDUCTED THE CABBAGE PATCH KIDS INTO THE TOY HALL OF FAME. >> I REMEMBER MY MOM GOT A TIP SOME WERE ARRIVING IN THE TOY HARDWARE STORE, QUIETLY LINED UP IN THE BACK DOOR, PEOPLE WERE LET IN ONE AT A TIME. >> IT WAS KIND OF LIKE A SPEAKEASY. >> Reporter: IT'S A CRAZE THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR FURBY MANIA AND TICKLE ME ELMO. TODAY CABBAGE PATCH KIDS ARE NOT ONLY STILL ON THE MARKET, THEY'RE DELIVERED DILLY AT A PLACE CALLED GENERAL LAND HOSPITAL IN GEORGIA. >> I SAID THEY HAVE THE CABBAGE PATCH HOSPITAL, AND SHE SAID WE'RE GOING, ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: FOR ADULTS IT'S NOSTALGIA. FOR KIDS, IT'S A CHANCE TO HOLD THE DOLLS, EVEN ADOPT ONE WITHOUT ALL THAT PUSHING AND SHOVING. TURNS OUT IT WAS NOT JUST A PASSING FAD. WHY HAVE YOU HELD ONTO HER FOR SO LONG? >> OH, GOSH, I CAN'T IMAGINE NOT. WHERE WOULD SHE GO? >> Reporter: WHAT WAS PLANTED IN THE PATCH MORE THAN FOUR DECADES AGO IS STILL GROWING. JOE FRYER, NBC NEWS. >>> AND WHEN WE COME BACK, THERE'S GOOD NEWS TONIGHT ABOUT A HOLIDAY TRADITION UNLIKE ANY OTHER RIGHT HERE AT >>> FINALLY, THERE'S GOOD NEWS TONIGHT ABOUT THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS AND THE POWER OF MUSIC TO BRING ALL OF US TOGETHER. HERE'S KATE SNOW. >> Reporter: AT NEW YORK'S ROCKEFELLER CENTER THIS IS WHAT HOLIDAY CHEER LOOKS AND SOUNDS LIKE. HUNDREDS OF TUBA AND EUPHONIUM PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. >> I CAME FROM GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN. >> WE CAME FROM SOUTH DAKOTA. >> OHIO. >> Reporter: EVEN THE NORTH POLE. >> IT'S A THRILL. I HEARD ABOUT IT. I SAID I GOT TO DO THAT. >> Reporter: THEY LINED UP IN THE RAIN THIS MONTH TO PERFORM IN THE TUBA CHRISTMAS 50th ANNIVERSARY SHOW. ♪♪ >> THIS IS LIKE A BUCKET LIST ITEM, A DREAM FOR ME. >> I'VE BEEN COMING SINCE HIGH SCHOOL. >> Reporter: THE CELEBRATION MARKING HALF A CENTURY IN THE SPOT WHERE IT ALL BEGAN BACK IN 1974. HOW MANY MORE YEARS OF A TUBA CHRISTMAS DO WE HAVE? >> WHAT DOES INFINITY LOOK LIKE? >> Reporter: GARY PRESS HELPS COORDINATE THE TRADITION. HE'S BEEN INVOLVED SINCE THE MID-'80s. WHAT DO PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT THE TUBA? >> THERE'S A CAMARADERIE WE ALWAYS NOTICE. TUBA PLAYERS GET ALONG. THAT'S THE SIMPLEST WAY TO PUT IT. >> Reporter: THAT CAMARADERIE HAS LED TO TUBA GATHERINGS ACROSS THE U.S. AND EVEN OVERSEAS. >> TUBA PLAYERS THEY'RE PLAYING THE LOW NOTES IN THE BAND AND THEY'RE OFTEN SUPPORTING EVERYTHING ELSE. AND WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS EVENT IS THEY SIT THERE AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT SHINE. >> WE ALL HAVE MUSIC INSIDE OF US. AND THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THAT IS AN INCREDIBLY EMOTIONAL AND POWERFUL EXPERIENCE. >> Reporter: BUT FOR THE PLAYERS HERE, THERE'S SIMPLY NOTHING MORE MAGICAL THAN CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER. >> WHEN YOU PLAY THE TUBA, IT'S LIKE A BIG, WARM FUZZ. ♪♪ >> A JOYFUL NOISE. OUR THANKS TO KATE SNOW FOR THAT REPORT. AND THAT'S NBC "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS SUNDAY. I'M GARRET HAAKE. FROM ALL OF US HERE AT
