This is TODAY

Your day starts here. The latest in news, pop culture, wellness and more.

In a TODAY exclusive, Jay Leno details the recent garage blaze that scorched his face and hands, and two older siblings mark the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting that took their little brothers' lives. Plus, a primary care doctor shares how he protects himself against the winter surge of viruses while seeing sick patients all day. 

Jay Leno describes the garage fire that left him with serious burns: 'My face caught on fire' 

The former "Tonight Show" host spoke in an exclusive interview with Hoda Kotb about the terrifying fire that caused severe burns to his face, chest and hands last month. Leno, 72, was working with a friend on one of his classic cars when Leno asked him to blow some air through a clogged fuel line. "And suddenly, boom, I got a face full of gas. And then the pilot light jumped and my face caught on fire," Leno said. He was treated for third-degree burns during a 10-day hospital stay. Watch the full interview this morning at 8 a.m. ET on TODAY. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton go for a stroll with the kids in their 2022 Christmas card.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are all smiles with their three children in this year's royal Christmas card. In a photo released by Kensington Palace yesterday, Prince William and the former Kate Middleton are shown out for a family walk on a sunny day with Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, earlier this year in Norfolk, U.K. King Charles III and Camilla, his wife and queen consort, also released their 2022 Christmas card, marking the first holiday season with Charles on the throne.

👨‍⚕️ Everyone's sick right now. Here's how a primary care doctor protects himself from winter viruses. 

With cases of flu, RSV and Covid filling hospital beds across the country, how do primary care physicians avoid getting sick while seeing patients all day? Dr. Gary LeRoy, a family physician in Ohio, shares the 8 methods he uses to ward off illness and keep himself healthy. Staying up to date with vaccines, washing your hands, eating healthy and exercising every day are just some of the ways you can boost your immune system to avoid getting sick. See his tips here. 

10 years after Sandy Hook, two older siblings recall the losses, and the love, that never left them.

Today marks 10 years since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman killed 26 people, including 20 children between 6 and 7 years old. To mark the solemn anniversary, two of the victims' older siblings spoke to TODAY.com to reflect on a decade of grief, bravery and the ever-present love they carry for the little brothers who were stolen from them. We also have a powerful essay from Nicole Hockley, who lost her son Dylan on that tragic day. Plus, learn how you can help organizations formed by the families of the victims, including Sandy Hook Promise, which Hockley co-founded.

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

In good news for anyone who hates the gym, a study has found that simple bursts of vigorous activity, from climbing a flight of stairs to running for a bus or train, may reduce your risk of dying early by as much as 40%. Anything that raises your heart rate for a minute or two counts, and the more the better. Here's how to know if your daily routine has enough vigorous activity in it. 

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

If you're looking to enjoy a great meal with family as you wait for Santa to come down the chimney, we have 59 festive recipes for Christmas Eve. Whether you're throwing a big bash, heading to midnight mass or just enjoying a small gathering, we have appetizers, Christmas cocktails, and entrees like spaghetti with clams (above), baked stuffed shells, roasted turkey breast and much more. 

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Whoa, a little heads-up please! This little girl in France was not quite ready for her first taste of salt-and-vinegar chips when her mom brought some home from a trip to the U.K. Just as the little taste-tester was saying how much she liked them, the vinegar kicked in, and she became all of us the first time we tried them. See the adorable video here. 

Thanks for letting us in your inbox!
See you again tomorrow morning.

Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield

Want to refer a friend? They can subscribe here.