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Dec. 18-24: Holiday television listings

A look at what's on the tube

By Times Staff
Published December 6, 2005

DEC. 18

6 a.m. - "Scrooged" - TNT - (1988) Bill Murray, Karen Allen. Three ghosts give a greedy network executive a long-overdue attitude adjustment. Based on the Charles Dickens classic.

9 a.m. - "Three Wise Guys" - USA - (2005) Tom Arnold, Judd Nelson. On Christmas Eve, three hired killers give chase after unwittingly aiding the pregnant girlfriend of one of their targets.

10 a.m. - "Legend of the Christmas Flower" - EWTN - A boy's dream of a sombrero leads to the true meaning of Christmas.

1 p.m. - "Home Alone" - TBS - (1990) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci. A precocious 8-year-old stands off two bumbling burglars after his vacationing parents accidentally leave him behind.

1:30 p.m. - "Baroque Christmas Concert" - EWTN - Soprano Barbara Bonney and baritone Matthias Goerne join the German Brass for a holiday performance of diverse baroque selections, including Mozart, Handel and Bach.

1:30 p.m. - "To Grandmother's House We Go" FAMILY - (1992) Mary-Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen. Bumbling thieves sidetrack precocious twins on a solo journey to their grandmother's house.

3:30 p.m. - "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July" - FAMILY - (1980) Voices of Red Buttons, Ethel Merman. Animated. Santa must save the day when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman encounter an evil wizard.

4:30 p.m. - "Go Look in the Manger" - EWTN - It's Christmas 1966 when Ricky breaks a promise to his mother and learns about unconditional love.

5 p.m. - "Christmas Advent and Christmas music from St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church in Dunmore, Pa." - EWTN

5 p.m. - "One Magic Christmas" - HALLMARK - (1985) Mary Steenburgen, Harry Dean Stanton. An angel faces the difficult task of restoring hope to a woman whose recent life has been plagued with misfortune.

5 p.m. - "The White House Christmas 2005" - HGTV - Decorators and artisans prepare the White House for the holiday season.

5:30 p.m. - "Samantha: An American Girl Holiday" - WB - (2004) AnnaSophia Robb, Mia Farrow. Ignoring the social code of 1904, a wealthy child befriends three sisters whose family members work as servants next door.

5:30 p.m. - "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - FAMILY - (2000) Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Tambor. A curmudgeon living atop Mount Crumpit sets out to quash the yuletide preparations of the Christmas-loving Whos of Whoville. Anthony Hopkins narrates.

7 p.m. - "Silent Night" - HALLMARK - (2002) Linda Hamilton, Matthew Harbour. On Christmas Eve, a woman and her son welcome American and German soldiers into their home during World War II.

8 p.m. - "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - WB - The mean old Grinch cooks up a plot to stop Christmas from coming to Whoville. Animated version from 1966, with Boris Karloff as the narrator and the voice of the Grinch.

8 p.m. - "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - FAMILY - (2000) Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Tambor. A curmudgeon living atop Mount Crumpit sets out to quash the yuletide preparations of the Christmas-loving Whos of Whoville. Anthony Hopkins narrates.

8:30 p.m. - "A Scooby-Doo Christmas" - WB - Scooby and the gang seek to solve the mystery of a headless snowman that shows up every year to destroy a small town's Christmas. Animated.

9 p.m. - "The Christmas Blessing" - CBS - (2005) Neil Patrick Harris, Rebecca Gayheart. A medical resident falls in love with a young teacher and develops a special bond with one of her students.

9 p.m. - "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" - NBC - (1989) Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo. Visiting relatives and troublesome holiday preparations complicate Clark Griswold's plans for an old-fashioned Christmas.

9 p.m. - "The Santa Trap" - PAX - (2002) Robert Hays, Shelley Long. Disbelieving parents send Santa Claus to jail after he is caught in their daughter's snare.

9 p.m. - "Unlikely Angel" - HALLMARK - (1996) Dolly Parton, Roddy McDowall. An angel is given the opportunity to earn her wings by bringing together a troubled family for the holidays.

1 a.m. - "One Magic Christmas" - HALLMARK - (1985) Mary Steenburgen, Harry Dean Stanton. An angel faces the difficult task of restoring hope to a woman whose recent life has been plagued with misfortune.

3 a.m. - "Candles and Carols" - EWTN

4:30 a.m. - "Luke: Meek Scribe of Christ" - EWTN - Timothy O'Donnell focuses on the events of the Annunciation, Incarnation, and Visitation.

5:30 a.m. - "Star of the King" - EWTN - Journey of the three wise men who followed the star from the East to Bethlehem in search of baby Jesus.

2 p.m. - "Jacob's Gift" - EWTN - Based on the book by Max Lucado. Students compete to apprentice with the builders of a new synagogue.

2 p.m. - "Miss Lettie and Me" - LIFETIME - (2002) Mary Tyler Moore, Burt Reynolds. A woman overcomes the bitter disappointments of her past with the help of her nine-year-old grandniece.

4 p.m. - "On the 2nd Day of Christmas" - LIFETIME - (1997) Mary Stuart Masterson, Lauren Pratt. A woman and her niece are caught picking pockets in a department store on Christmas Eve.

7 p.m. - "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" - FAMILY - Fred Astaire narrates a musical look into the mysteries and myths of Kriss Kringle, alias Santa Claus.

7 p.m. - "Comfort and Joy" - LIFETIME - (2003) Nancy McKeon, Dixie Carter. Knocked unconscious in a car accident, a single woman awakens to learn she is married and has two children.

8 p.m. - "A Night of Joy" - PAX - Scheduled performers include Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, CeCe Winans, Jars of Clay, Jump 5, Jaci Velasquez and Rebecca St. James. From Walt Disney World, Orlando.

8 p.m. - "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" - FAMILY - (1992) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci. Kevin accidentally boards a plane bound for New York and spends another Christmas outwitting thieves Harry and Marv.

9 p.m. - "Once Upon a Christmas" - HALLMARK - (2000) Kathy Ireland, John Dye. Santa's daughter must infuse a spoiled family with holiday spirit or Christmas will be gone forever.

9 p.m. - "His and Her Christmas" - LIFETIME - (2005) Two journalists write a Christmas column for rival newspapers in the same city.

10 p.m. - "Cousins in Christ Family Christmas" - EWTN

4:30 a.m. - "Legend of the Christmas Flower" - EWTN - A boy's dream of a sombrero leads to the true meaning of Christmas.

9 a.m. - "Catholic University of America's Christmas Concert 2005" EWTN Sounds of the season.

2 p.m. - "Dana: Our Family Christmas" EWTN Traditional customs of an old-fashioned Christmas.

2 p.m. - "I'll Be Home for Christmas" LIFE (1988) Hal Holbrook, Eva Marie Saint. Familial relationships are explored as a New England family awaits the return of their son from the battlefield.

4 p.m. - "The Candymaker's Christmas" - EWTN - A candymaker learns the true gift of Christmas.

4 p.m. - "The Man Who Saved Christmas" - LIFETIME - (2002) Jason Alexander, Kelly Rowan. Inventor and toy manufacturer A.C. Gilbert rediscovers his holiday spirit during World War I.

4:30 p.m. - "The Prince of Peace Is Born" - EWTN - Musical telling of the meaning of Christmas.

7 p.m. - "A Very Barry Christmas" - FAMILY - Barry Buckley and Santa unwittingly trade lives in a Christmas mix-up.

8 p.m. - "Holiday Inn" - AMC - (1942) Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire. "White Christmas' and other Irving Berlin tunes highlight the tale of an inn that is only open on holidays.

8 p.m. - "The Ultimate Christmas Present" - DISNEY - (2000) Hallee Hirsh, Brenda Song. After their plan to make it snow in L.A. goes awry, two youngsters join forces with Santa Claus to set things right.

8 p.m. - "Eloise at Christmastime" - FAMILY - (2003) Julie Andrews, Sofia Vassilieva. A 6-year-old girl tries to reunite a young woman with a former boyfriend before she marries another.

9 p.m. - "Twice Upon a Christmas" - HALLMARK - (2001) Kathy Ireland, John Dye. Santa's daughter struggles with a marriage proposal while her wicked sister schemes to ruin the yuletide holiday.

9 p.m. - "Miracle on the 17th Green" - LIFETIME - (1999) Robert Urich, Meredith Baxter. An ad executive fired at Christmastime tries to raise his spirits by pursuing a lifelong dream of playing pro golf.

10:15 p.m. - "A Christmas Carol" - AMC - (1951) Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison. Dickens' London miser Ebenezer Scrooge meets the ghosts of Christmases past, present and yet to come.

11:30 p.m. - "Stories of Hymns" - EWTN - The church's most revered songs of praise are an inspiration for the spiritual life.

Midnight - "Holiday Inn" - AMC - (1942) Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire. "White Christmas" and other Irving Berlin tunes highlight the tale of an inn that is only open on holidays.

Midnight - "Denis Leary's Merry F ... Christmas Special" - COMEDY - The comedian and his friends ring in the holiday season.

2 a.m. - "Denis Leary's Merry F ... Christmas Special" - COMEDY - The comedian and his friends ring in the holiday season.

3:30 a.m. - "A Star Shall Rise" - EWTN - Raymond Burr stars in a tale about the birth of Christ.

6 a.m. - "La Navidad" - ETWN - The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

9 a.m. - "Karroll's Christmas" - A&E - (2004) Tom Everett Scott, Verne Troyer. A greeting-card writer wants to renew his grouchy neighbor's holiday spirit after a visit from Christmas ghosts.

9 a.m. - "Luke: Meek Scribe of Christ" - EWTN - "The Annunciation, Incarnation, and Visitation' Timothy O'Donnell focuses on the events of the Annunciation, Incarnation and Visitation.

10:05 a.m. - "Christmas Carol: The Movie" - SHOWTIME - (2001) Voices of Simon Callow, Kate Winslet. Animated. London miser Ebenezer Scrooge has a change of heart after he encounters three ghosts.

11 a.m. - "The Koala Brothers Outback Christmas" - DISNEY

3 p.m. - "Karroll's Christmas" - A&E - (2004) Tom Everett Scott, Verne Troyer. A greeting-card writer wants to renew his grouchy neighbor's holiday spirit after a visit from Christmas ghosts.

3:30 p.m. - "Miracle on 34th Street" - HBO - (1994) Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins. A department store executive has her doubts when the elderly gentleman she hired claims to be the real Santa Claus.

4 p.m. - "A Christmas Carol" - AMC - (1951) Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison. Dickens' London miser Ebenezer Scrooge meets the ghosts of Christmases past, present and yet to come.

4 p.m. - "The Donut Man: The Best Christmas Present of All" - EWTN - Host Rob Evans and the Donut Repair Club celebrate the birth of Jesus.

4 p.m. - "Miracle on the 17th Green" - LIFETIME - (1999) Robert Urich, Meredith Baxter. An ad executive fired at Christmastime tries to raise his spirits by pursuing a lifelong dream of playing pro golf.

7 p.m. - "Jack Frost" - FAMILY - Jack Frost strikes a deal with Father Winter that if he defeats a villainous giant, he will become visible to the beautiful and human Elisa.

7 p.m. - "Deck the Halls" - LIFETIME - (2005) Gabrielle Carteris. A boy tries to set up his mother with a man he believes is Santa Claus.

8 p.m. - "The 7th Annual A Home for the Holidays" - CBS - Sheryl Crow, Toni Braxton, Yolanda Adams and the Goo Goo Dolls are scheduled to perform; Jamie Lee Curtis hosts.

8 p.m. - "A Very Brady Christmas" - FAMILY - (1988) Florence Henderson, Robert Reed. As Christmas approaches, crises threaten to keep three generations of Bradys from spending the holidays together.

8:30 p.m. - "The Fairly OddParents" - NICK - Timmy wishes for 365 days of Christmas, throwing the whole world out of whack.

9 p.m. - "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus" - HALLMARK - (2004) Crystal Bernard, Steve Guttenberg. Santa's heir woos a widowed advertising executive who wants to use him in the biggest ad campaign of her career.

9 p.m. - "Holiday Affair" - LIFETIME - (1996) Cynthia Gibb, David James Elliott. A widow must choose between passion and security when two men with very different personalities court her favor.

6:30 a.m. - "Jacob's Gift" - EWTN - Based on the book by Max Lucado. Students compete to apprentice with the builders of a new synagogue.

11 a.m. - "My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas" - DISNEY -(2005) Animated. Clumsy Minty Pony breaks the holiday candy cane that guides Santa Claus to Ponyville every year.

11 a.m. - "The Christmas Truce" - HISTORY - In 1914, Allied and German soldiers meet peacefully at Christmastime in No Man's Land.

Noon - "Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas" - HISTORY - The history of Christmas is told with rare film and home movies of celebrations from around the world and includes the evolution of Santa Claus.

2 p.m. - "A Star Shall Rise" - EWTN - Raymond Burr stars in a tale about the birth of Christ.

2:30 p.m. - "Stories of Hymns" - EWTN - The Church's most revered songs of praise are an inspiration for the spiritual life.

4 p.m. - "Holiday Affair" - LIFETIME - (1996) Cynthia Gibb, David James Elliott. A widow must choose between passion and security when two men with very different personalities court her favor.

5 p.m. - "The Candymaker's Christmas" - EWTN - A candymaker learns the true gift of Christmas.

5 p.m. - "The Christmas Truce" - HISTORY - In 1914, Allied and German soldiers meet peacefully at Christmastime in No Man's Land.

5:30 p.m. - "Luke: Meek Scribe of Christ" - EWTN - "The Annunciation, Incarnation, and Visitation' Dr. Timothy O'Donnell focuses on the events of the Annunciation, Incarnation and Visitation.

6 p.m. - "Cousins in Christ Family Christmas" - EWTN

6 p.m. - "Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas" - HISTORY - The history of Christmas is told with rare film and home movies of celebrations from around the world and includes the evolution of Santa Claus.

7 p.m. - "Rudolph's Shiny New Year" - FAMILY - Rudolph the Reindeer comes to the rescue when the New Year baby is kidnapped by an evil bird. Voices of Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin, Morey Amsterdam.

7 p.m. - "His and Her Christmas" - LIFETIME - (2005) Two journalists write a Christmas column for rival newspapers in the same city.

8 p.m. - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" - CBS - The reindeer with the incandescent nose guides Santa's sleigh through a bad storm on Christmas Eve. Based on the song by Johnny Marks.

8 p.m. - "Full-Court Miracle" - DISNEY - (2003) Alex D. Linz, Richard T. Jones. The young captain of a Hebrew academy's basketball team convinces an NBA hopeful to coach his winless players.

8 p.m. - "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - FAMILY - (2000) Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Tambor. A curmudgeon living atop Mount Crumpit sets out to quash the yuletide preparations of the Christmas-loving Whos of Whoville. Anthony Hopkins narrates.

8 p.m. - "A Christmas Story" - TCM - (1983) Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin. Mid-1940s America is the setting for this holiday memoir about a boy who only wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

9 p.m. - "Meet the Santas" - HALLMARK - (2005) Steve Guttenberg, Crystal Bernard. A man, his fiance and her mother plan a wedding for Christmas Eve.

9 p.m. - "Christmas in My Hometown" - LIFETIME - (1996) Melissa Gilbert, Tim Matheson. An executive with orders to cut jobs at a tractor factory is mistaken for an economic savior by the town's residents.

10 p.m. - "Candles and Carols" - EWTN

10 p.m. - "Holiday Affair" - TCM - (1949) Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey. A young widow with a son is wooed by an earnest businessman and a romantic drifter.

11 p.m. - "Catholic University of America's Christmas Concert 2005" - EWTN - Sounds of the season.

6 a.m. - "O Magnum Mysterium: A Christmas Celebration" - EWTN - The Corydon Singers and His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts perform at Stationers' Hall in London.

7 a.m. - "Santa Claus" - A&E - A cross-cultural look at the evolution of the Santa Claus legend over the centuries.

10 a.m. "Candles and Carols" - EWTN

11 a.m. "12 Days of Christmas Eve" - USA - (2004) Steven Weber, Molly Shannon. A grumpy, high-powered business executive learns the true meaning of Christmas.

Noon - "Franklin's Magic Christmas" - NICK - Franklin and Harriet have their work cut out before enjoying a magical Christmas at Faraway Farm.

1 p.m. - "Stealing Christmas" - USA - (2003) Tony Danza, Lea Thompson. A burglar lands a job playing Santa Claus as he plots to rob a small-town bank on Christmas Eve.

3 p.m. - "Santa Who?" - USA (2000) Leslie Nielsen, Tommy Davidson. Jolly old St. Nick becomes a department-store Santa after a tumble from his sleigh results in amnesia.

4 p.m. - "Jacob's Gift" - EWTN - Based on the book by Max Lucado. Students compete to apprentice with the builders of a new synagogue.

4 p.m. - "A Very Cool Christmas" - LIFETIME - (2004) George Hamilton, Brooke Nevin. A fashion-conscious teen, who would rather spend Christmas with her boyfriend than her parents, gives Santa a makeover.

5 p.m. - "Star of the King" - EWTN - Journey of the three wise men who followed the star from the East to Bethlehem in search of baby Jesus.

5 p.m. - "Three Wise Guys" - USA - (2005) Tom Arnold, Judd Nelson. On Christmas Eve, three hired killers give chase after unwittingly aiding the pregnant girlfriend of one of their targets.

5:30 p.m. - "Go Look in the Manger" - EWTN - It's Christmas 1966 when Ricky breaks a promise to his mother and learns about unconditional love.

6 p.m. - "Dana: Our Family Christmas" - EWTN - Traditional customs of an old-fashioned Christmas.

8 p.m. - "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" - DISNEY - (2004) Voices of Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo. Animated. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and friends take part in a series of holiday adventures.

9 p.m. - "He Sees You When You're Sleeping" - PAX - (2002) Erika Eleniak, Cameron Bancroft. At holiday time, a soul gets a long-awaited chance to enter heaven by rescuing a mother and daughter from mobsters.

9 p.m. - "Santa Jr." - HALLMARK - (2002) Lauren Holly, Judd Nelson. St. Nick's slacker son reluctantly joins the family business, but must clear his name after he is arrested for burglary.

9 p.m. - "If You Believe" - LIFETIME - (1999) Ally Walker, Tom Amandes. A mysterious little girl gives a lonely, cynical book editor a second chance to live her life to the fullest.

10 p.m. - "A Christmas Carol" - TCM - (1938) Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart. An old miser named Scrooge learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve in this adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale.

10:30 p.m. - "Legend of the Christmas Flower" - EWTN - A boy's dream of a sombrero leads to the true meaning of Christmas.

12:30 a.m. - "Denis Leary's Merry F... Christmas Special" - COMEDY - The comedian and his friends ring in the holiday season.

12:30 a.m. - "His and Her Christmas" - LIFETIME - (2005) Two journalists write a Christmas column for rival newspapers in the same city.

3 a.m. - "Baroque Christmas Concert" - EWTN - Soprano Barbara Bonney and baritone Matthias Goerne join the German Brass for a holiday performance of diverse baroque selections, including Mozart, Handel and Bach.

4 a.m. - "Santa Who?" - USA - (2000) Leslie Nielsen, Tommy Davidson. Jolly old St. Nick becomes a department-store Santa after a tumble from his sleigh results in amnesia.

5:30 a.m. - "Dana: Our Family Christmas" - EWTN - Traditional customs of an old-fashioned Christmas.

6 a.m. - "Miracle on 34th Street" - HBO - (1994) Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins. A department store executive has her doubts when the elderly gentleman she hired claims to be the real Santa Claus.

6:30 a.m. - "The Koala Brothers Outback Christmas" - DISNEY

6:30 a.m. - "Christopher Closeup" - EWTN - A lonely cobbler finds new meaning in life. Narrated by Alexandra Tolstoy.

6:35 a.m. - "Christmas Carol: The Movie" - SHOWTIME - (2001) Voices of Simon Callow, Kate Winslet. Animated. London miser Ebenezer Scrooge has a change of heart after he encounters three ghosts.

9 a.m. - "A Christmas Visitor" - HALLMARK - (2002) William Devane, Meredith Baxter. A stranger who appears on Christmas Eve rekindles the holiday spirit in a grief-stricken family.

10 a.m. - "Go Look in the Manger" - EWTN - It's Christmas 1966 when Ricky breaks a promise to his mother and learns about unconditional love.

10 a.m. - "Holiday Affair" - TCM - (1949) Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey. A young widow with a son is wooed by an earnest businessman and a romantic drifter.

11 a.m. - "Karroll's Christmas" - A&E - (2004) Tom Everett Scott, Verne Troyer. A greeting-card writer wants to renew his grouchy neighbor's holiday spirit after a visit from Christmas ghosts.

11 a.m. - "The Night They Saved Christmas" - HALLMARK - (1984) Jaclyn Smith, Art Carney. A mother and children set out to save Santa's North Pole kingdom from the threat posed by her husband's oil drilling.

Noon - "The Santa Claus Brothers" - DISNEY - Santa Claus wants to retire but balks at leaving the family business to his three bumbling sons.

Noon - "Jingle All the Way" - FAMILY - (1996) Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad. On Christmas Eve, two fathers desperately vie for possession of the one remaining Turbo Man toy in the whole city.

1 p.m. - "Ultimate Small Town Christmas" - A&E - A panel crowns one hometown from among 20 favorites.

1 p.m. - "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" - DISNEY - (2004) Voices of Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo. Animated. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and friends take part in a series of holiday adventures.

1 p.m. - "Christmas With the Nuns of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery" - EWTN - Christmas music and devotions.

1 p.m. - "Unlikely Angel" - HALLMARK - (1996) Dolly Parton, Roddy McDowall. An angel is given the opportunity to earn her wings by bringing together a troubled family for the holidays.

1 p.m. - "Like Father, Like Santa" - LIFETIME - (1998) Harry Hamlin, Megan Gallagher. An unscrupulous businessman, who is actually Santa Claus' estranged son, must prevent Christmas from being ruined.

2 p.m. - "Joyful Hour" - EWTN - Actor Pat O'Brien and his family pray the rosary.

2 p.m. - "A Very Brady Christmas" - FAMILY - (1988) Florence Henderson, Robert Reed. As Christmas approaches, crises threaten to keep three generations of Bradys from spending the holidays together.

2:30 p.m. - "The Ultimate Christmas Present" - DISNEY - (2000) Hallee Hirsh, Brenda Song. After their plan to make it snow in L.A. goes awry, two youngsters join forces with Santa Claus to set things right.

3 p.m. - "Stealing Christmas" - BRAVO - (2003) Tony Danza, Lea Thompson. A burglar lands a job playing Santa Claus as he plots to rob a small-town bank on Christmas Eve.

3 p.m. - "Once Upon a Christmas" - HALLMARK - (2000) Kathy Ireland, John Dye. Santa's daughter must infuse a spoiled family with holiday spirit or Christmas will be gone forever.

3 p.m. - "Deck the Halls" - LIFETIME - (2005) Gabrielle Carteris. A boy tries to set up his mother with a man he believes is Santa Claus.

5 p.m. - "Twice Upon a Christmas" - HALLMARK - (2001) Kathy Ireland, John Dye. Santa's daughter struggles with a marriage proposal while her wicked sister schemes to ruin the yuletide holiday.

5 p.m. - "His and Her Christmas" - LIFETIME - (2005) Two journalists write a Christmas column for rival newspapers in the same city.

6 p.m. - "Solemn Mass at Midnight" - EWTN - Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass. From St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.

6 p.m. - "Jack Frost" - FAMILY - Jack Frost strikes a deal with Father Winter that if he defeats a villainous giant, he will become visible to the beautiful and human Elisa.

6 p.m. - "Hollywood Christmas Parade" - WGN - The annual event in Los Angeles features floats and bands.

6:30 p.m. - "Christmas Carol: The Movie" - SHOWTIME - (2001) Voices of Simon Callow, Kate Winslet. Animated. London miser Ebenezer Scrooge has a change of heart after he encounters three ghosts.

7 p.m. - "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" - FAMILY - Just as Frosty is about to marry, mean Jack Frost puts him into a deep freeze.

7 p.m. - "A Carol Christmas" - HALLMARK - (2003) Tori Spelling, William Shatner. An egomaniacal talk-show host has a chance to change.

7 p.m. - "Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas" - HISTORY - The history of Christmas is told with rare film and home movies of celebrations from around the world and includes the evolution of Santa Claus.

7 p.m. - "Noel" - LIFETIME - (2004) Penlope Cruz, Susan Sarandon. A couple, an editor, a diner chef, an orphaned hustler and a former priest find unexpected happiness on the holidays.

7:30 p.m. - " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" - FAMILY - Joel Grey narrates this animated musical adaptation of Clement Moore's traditional holiday verse.

8 p.m. - "It's a Wonderful Life" - NBC - (1946) James Stewart, Donna Reed. Frank Capra's classic about an angel who shows a suicidal businessman what life would be like without him.

8 p.m. - "Great Things About the Holidays" - BRAVO

8 p.m. - " 'Twas the Night' - DISNEY - (2001) Bryan Cranston, Josh Zuckerman. Christmas may be ruined when a mischievous teen and his uncle take a jaunt in Santa's state-of-the-art sleigh.

8 p.m. - "Christmas" - EWTN - Advent and Christmas music from St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Dunmore, Pa.

8 p.m. - "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" - FAMILY - Fred Astaire narrates a musical look into the mysteries and myths of Kris Kringle, alias Santa Claus.

8 p.m. - "The White House Christmas 2005" - HGTV - Decorators and artisans prepare the White House for the holiday season.

8 p.m. - "A Christmas Story" - TBS - (1983) Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin. Mid-1940s America is the setting for this holiday memoir about a boy who only wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Repeats at 9 p.m., 11 p.m. Dec. 24; 1 a.m., 3 a.m., 5 a.m., 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. Dec. 25.

9 p.m. - "I'll Be Home for Christmas" - ABC - (1998) Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel. A vintage Porsche is at stake as a Santa-suited student travels cross-country to get home for the holidays.

9 p.m. - "Great Things About the Holidays" - BRAVO

10 p.m. - "Great Things About the Holidays" - BRAVO

10 p.m. - "The Year Without a Santa Claus" - FAMILY - Santa Claus decides to stay home for Christmas because he feels that people have lost their holiday spirit.

10 p.m. - "A Boyfriend for Christmas" - HALLMARK - (2004) Kelli Williams, Patrick Muldoon. A strangely familiar man may be the answer to a 33-year-old woman's long-ago holiday wish for true love.

10 p.m. - "Recipe for a Perfect Christmas" - LIFETIME - (2005) Carly Pope, Christine Baranski. A food critic needs help from a young chef when her mother visits unexpectedly.

10 p.m. - "Christmas in Connecticut" - TCM - (1945) Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet. A homemaking columnist who's useless in the kitchen has to provide a family holiday for a war hero as part of a publicity stunt.

11 p.m. - "Great Things About the Holidays" - BRAVO

11 p.m. - "Choral Meditations" - EWTN

11 p.m. - "Rudolph's Shiny New Year" - FAMILY - Rudolph the Reindeer comes to the rescue when the New Year baby is kidnapped by an evil bird. Voices of Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin, Morey Amsterdam.

11 p.m. - "Once Upon a Christmas" - HALLMARK - (2000) Kathy Ireland, John Dye. Santa's daughter must infuse a spoiled family with holiday spirit or Christmas will be gone forever.

Midnight - "Home Alone" - WGN - (1990) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci. A precocious 8-year-old stands off two bumbling burglars after his vacationing parents accidentally leave him behind.

11:30 p.m. - "Christmas Eve at St. Peter's Basilica" - NBC

11:30 p.m. - "Solemn Mass of Christmas Day" - EWTN - From the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

11:35 p.m. - "No Room in the Inn" - CBS

Midnight - "The White House Christmas 2005" - HGTV - Decorators and artisans prepare the White House for the holiday season.

Midnight - "Solemn Mass of Christmas From EWTN" - EWTN

2 a.m. - "Great Things About the Holidays" - BRAVO

2 a.m. - "Twice Upon a Christmas" - HALLMARK - (2001) Kathy Ireland, John Dye. Santa's daughter struggles with a marriage proposal while her wicked sister schemes to ruin the yuletide holiday.

2 a.m. - "All Out Christmas" - HGTV - Outrageous holiday decorations.

2 a.m. - "Midnight Mass From the Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago" - WGN

2 a.m. - "Warm Weather, White Christmas" - HGTV - Christmas celebrations in warm climates.

2:30 a.m. - "Yule Log" - WGN

3 a.m. - "Great Things About the Holidays" - BRAVO

3 a.m. - "Stealing Christmas" - USA - (2003) Tony Danza, Lea Thompson. A burglar lands a job playing Santa Claus as he plots to rob a small-town bank on Christmas Eve.

4 a.m. - "Great Things About the Holidays" - BRAVO

5 a.m. - "Great Things About the Holidays" - BRAVO

5 a.m. - "Cousins in Christ Family Christmas" - EWTN

[Last modified December 6, 2005, 14:14:02]