Google is reprising its role as the official tracking engine for Santa's world tour this Christmas Eve. For the second year, the search giant is partnering with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to provide a real-time Google Maps updated with the location of Pere Noel as he makes his rounds at Noradsanta.org.

And, if you're really into it, Google's offering a 3D Santa tracker through Google Earth. Want it more personal? Drop the NORAD Tracks Santa widget to your iGoogle page. Or add the @noradsanta feed to your Twitter following.

Google starts the tracking at 6:00 am EST, Dec. 24. As of this writing, Santa was flying over Mt. Everest in Nepal.

Ho ho ho.