Holiday TV religious programming 2012

From the Pope’s Christmas Day message to an airing of the memorable 1977 Jesus of Nazareth miniseries, here is some of the religious programming airing over the next few weeks, throughout the holiday season. All times Eastern. Check back for updates and additions.

Saints and Heroes — Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa Claus — Dec. 6 at 5pm; Dec. 19 at 4pm; Dec. 25 at 11am; Dec. 27 at 5pm on EWTN. A animated look at Nicholas, who was a young boy when he discovered a love of Jesus and the gift of giving.

The Gift of Christmas — Dec. 7 at 2am; Dec. 9 at 4:30am; Dec. 13 at 2am; Dec. 18 at 12:30pm; Dec. 22 at 2am on TBN. Flying angels, massive virtual scenery a choir and orchestra are pare of this production of the Christmas story.

Christmas With a Capital “C” — Dec. 7 at 3am; Dec. 13 at 3am; Dec. 25 at 11:30am on TBN. In this movie, an attorney returns home to his small town in Alaska and quickly rocks the boat by getting an injunction against the Nativity scene.

The Christmas Child — Dec. 8 at 2am; Dec. 9 at 3am; Dec. 20 at 2am; Dec. 21 at 3am on TBN. As Christmas draws near, Jack find himself disconnected from the holidays, his job, and ultimately his wife. Although his job as a journalist takes him to Dallas, a mysterious photograph draws him to the town of Clearwater, Texas. It is here that he discovers the town’s pride and joy of the holiday season: a life-sized, intricately carved nativity. As Jack delves into the mysteries surrounding the nativity and its creator, he uncovers secrets from his past, reunites with the family he never knew, and returns to the love that never left him.

Christian Ebner Christmas — Dec. 8 at 3:30am; Dec. 21 at 11:30pm; Dec. 25 at 1pm on TBN. Christian Ebner offers carols of the season.

Christmas at Cadillac Jack’s — Dec. 8 at 4am; Dec. 13 at 5:30am on TBN.

Solemn Mass of the Immaculate Conception — Dec. 8 at 8am Live; Dec. 9 at 12am Replay on EWTN. The EWTN Franciscan Missionaries celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception from Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Irondale, Alabama.

Homage to the Immaculate Conception — Dec. 8 at 10am & 6pm on EWTN. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a traditional homage to Mary in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna.

Solemn Mass of the Immaculate Conception — BNSIC — Dec. 8 at 12pm Live on EWTN. Bishop Barry C. Knestout, Auxilary Bishop of Washington, celebrates the Solemn Mass of the Immaculate Conception from the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant — Dec. 8 at 5pm; Dec. 14 at 4:30am; Dec. 16 at 1am; Dec. 21 at 4:30pm; Dec. 26 at 2am; Dec. 27 at 3am on TBN. The pageant features a festive opening scene with familiar carols in a turn-of-the-century setting, a concert of inspirational contemporary songs, and a musical drama of the nativity and life of Christ.

Just Where I Belong — Dec. 8 at 11pm; Dec. 22 at 5pm; Dec. 25 at 5am on TBN. When Julia, a lonely foster child, discovers an injured rabbit on Christmas Eve, she forms an unlikely friendship with an eccentric old farmwoman who vows to nurse the bunny back to health. In the process, Julia’s own heart is healed and she forges a bond with her adoptive family that makes her holidays one she— and you—will never forget.

Our First Christmas — Dec. 9 at 12:30am; Dec. 14 at 2am; Dec. 14 at 3am; Dec. 23 at 1am; Dec. 24 at 5am on TBN. Cindy and Tom — who married after losing their spouses — are determined to make sure that their first Christmas together will be perfect. But getting their kids to agree on holiday plans won’t be easy. Cindy’s daughter wants to go skiing with Gramma Evie, while Tom’s children plan to take part in Grandpa Joe’s holiday pageant. Can the kids compromise in the name of Christmas?

Christmas Carol: A Christian Musical — Dec. 9 at 3am; Dec. 19 at 12pm; Dec. 24 at 3:30am on TBN. A musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic that presents the tale from a Christian perspective.

The Christmas Box — Dec. 9 at 5:30am; Dec. 16 at 3am; Dec. 21 at 2am; Dec. 22 at 3am on TBN. Maureen O’Hara, Annette O’Toole and Richard Thomas star in this story of a rich elderly widow who takes in a goal-oriented yuppie and his family to care for her and teaches them the true meaning of Christmas.

Advent Reflection: Pt. 2 — Dec. 9 at 10:30am on EWTN. From St. Mary’s Church in Drogheda, Ireland, Father Darren Brennan, of the Community of Apostolate in Dublin, speaks on the second week of Advent.

Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith — Dec. 9 at 10pm; Dec. 17 at 4:30pm; Dec. 19 at 10pm; Dec. 24 at 10pm; Dec. 26 at 4:30pm on TBN. A dramatization of the possible trials and tribulations that the parents of Christ might have faced.

Trinity Music City Presents Christmas With Sisters — Dec. 10 at 6am; Dec. 18 at 1am on TBN. Sisters bring their harmonies together to celebrate the season.

Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration — Dec. 11 at 2am on TBN. Casting Crowns perform songs from their first Christmas album.

Virgen de Guadalupe — Dec. 11 at 11:35pm on Telemundo. Telemundo le rinde homenaje a la Virgen de Guadalupe con la transmisión del programa especial “Virgen de Guadalupe,” cubriendo la tradicional celebración que agrupa a millones de peregrinos para homenajear a la Virgen en su día. Telemundo transmitirá en exclusiva el acto musical que la cantante Ana Bárbara le dedicará a la Virgen Morena desde la Basílica de Guadalupe, donde los presentadores de Telemundo Mónica Noguera, Azucena Cierco y Julio Vaqueiro estarán cubriendo los pormenores de esta importante tradición. Además, la actriz Vanessa Villela y el presentador de mun2 Guadalupe Venegas traerán la cobertura de la Fiesta Guadalupana desde la Catedral de los Ángeles, California.

The Christmas Experience — Dec. 13 at 1am; Dec. 17 at 7am; Dec. 18 at 7am; Dec. 19 at 7am; Dec. 20 at 1am & 7am; Dec. 21 at 7am; Dec. 24 at 7am; Dec. 27 at 1am on TBN.

Trinity Music City Presents Christmas With Karen Peck & New River — Dec. 16 at 4:30am; Dec. 21 at 1:30pm; Dec. 23 at 2:30am on TBN. Karen Peck and New River sing inspirational songs.

Feasts & Seasons: The Third Week of Advent — Dec. 16 at 6:30am; Dec. 18 at 2:30pm on EWTN. Joanna Bogle discusses Gaudete Sunday, where the food preparation starts, the crib or creche can be displayed and preparations are made for Christmas.

Bookmark: Little Star — Dec. 16 at 9:30am & 11:30pm; Dec. 19 at 11am; Dec. 24 at 1:30pm. A story of a little star with a big role in announcing Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.

Advent Reflections: Pt. 3 — Dec. 16 at 10:30am; Dec. 18 at 11:30pm on EWTN. From St. Mary’s Church in Drogheda, Ireland, Father Columbia Maria Jordan of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Derry, N. Ireland, speaks on the third week of Advent.

Jesus of Nazareth — Dec. 16 at 10pm; Dec. 17 at 3am; Dec. 25 at 4:30pm & 10pm on TBN. Franco Zeffirelli’s epic miniseries about the life of Christ stars Anne Bancroft, Laurence Olivier, Michael York, James Mason,  Rod Steiger and Robert Powell as Jesus.

Fr. Rutler: Stories of Hymns — O Come O Come Emmanuel — Dec. 16 at 11pm; Dec. 20 at 6:30am; Dec. 22 at 4pm; Dec. 25 at 12:30am; Dec. 28 at 11am on EWTN. Father George Rutler reflects on the hymn “O Come O Come Emmanuel.”

Light of the East II — Liturgical Year: The Nativity — Dec. 17 at 3:30am; Dec. 20 at 10:30am; Dec. 26 at 2pm on EWTN. Father Michael Sopoliga and Father Joseph Bertha take a look at the traditions surrounding the Feast of the Nativity in the Byzantine Church.

Mother Angelica Live Classics: Christmas — Dec. 17 at 10am; Dec. 22 at 7pm; Dec. 26 at 10am on EWTN. Mother Angelica sheds light on the why Christmas is celebrated.

In Concert: A Christmas Celebration – O Magnum Mysterium — Dec. 17 at 2pm; Dec. 24 at 2am; Dec. 29 at 11pm on EWTN. Music for the Christmas season is performed by the Corydon Singers and His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts.

The Best of Mother Angelica Live — A Very Special Christmas — Dec. 18 at 2am & 10am; Dec. 25 at 10am on EWTN. Mother Angelica explains her reason for the season.

We Are Catholic – Christmas Special — Dec. 18 at 4:30pm; Dec. 22 at 9:30am on EWTN. This Christmas story brings together the world’s largest Christmas tree, a helicopter, and some lost boys, with surprising results.

The Word Is Born: Christmas With the Louisville Chorus — Dec. 18 at 9pm; Dec. 24 at 1:30am on EWTN. The Louisville Chorus performs sounds of the Christmas season in the historic St. Martin of Tours Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

Mother Angelica Live Classics: 12/11/07 Christmas — Dec. 19 at 1am & 10am on EWTN. Mother Angelica talks Christmas.

Theater of the Word: A Morning Star Christmas — Dec. 19 at 2am; Dec. 22 at 11pm; Dec. 23 at 1:30pm on EWTN. Several one-act performances in the Christmas spirit are presented by the Morning Star Players and other actors from the Theater of the Word.

Joy of Music: A Danube Christmas Celebration — Dec. 19 at 6:30am on EWTN. Diane Bish performs the sounds of Christmas in Hungary, Austria and Germany.

Backstage – Christmas Special — Dec. 19 at 5:30pm; Dec. 22 at 2am; Dec. 26 at 4am on EWTN. Christian musicians play an assortment of Christmas classics.

Savoring Our Faith — Christmas Special — Dec. 19 at 6pm; Dec. 20 at 11am; Dec. 23 at 1:30am; Dec. 26 at 6pm on EWTN. Father Leo Patalinghug is joined by Father Patrick Mary to present a special Christmas family meal.

Backstage 2003 Christmas Special — Dec. 20 at 3:30am; Dec. 21 at 9pm on EWTN. Mary Anne LaHood sings a variety of Christmas songs.

The Loretta Young Show: “3 and 2 Please” — Dec. 20 at 4am; Dec. 22 at 2:30pm; Dec. 24 at 6:30pm; Dec. 28 at 4:30am; Dec. 21 at 3am on EWTN. Loretta Young plays Sister Ann, a nun who brightens the lives of patients in a Catholic hospital at Christmas time.

Cousins in Christ: Family Christmas — Dec. 20 at 4pm; Dec. 24 at 3:30am on EWTN. Cousins in Christ share a collection of favorite Christmas songs.

A Star Shall Rise — Dec. 20 at 6:30pm; Dec. 24 at 3am; Dec. 28 at 3am & 6:30pm on EWTN. This retelling of the story of the three wise men features Raymond Burr.

Christopher Classic Christmas — Dec. 20 at 9pm; Dec. 23 at 1am; Dec. 25 at 5:30pm on EWTN. The Christophers founder Father James Keller joins Snooky Lanson, June Valli, Mario Lanza, Rosalind Russell and Danny Thomas for a celebration of the Christmas season.

Christmas With Colin Raye Featuring Andrea Thomas — Dec. 20 at 11pm; Dec. 23 at 8pm; Dec. 27 at 2am; Jan. 2 at 9am; Jan. 5 at 10pm on EWTN. Country singer Collin Raye presents songs of the Christmas season, joined by Andrea Thomas.

Christmas With the Nuns of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery 2001 — Dec. 21 at 2am; Dec. 24 at 6am; Dec. 25 at 2pm on EWTN. The Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration from Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama, perform special Christmas music and devotions.

Joy of Music: A Musical Journey of Christmas — Dec. 21 at 3am; Dec. 24 at 9am on EWTN. Diane Bish celebrates Christmas performing songs in Austria and Germany’s majestic churches and cathedrals.

Fowler Sisters: Christmas Gift — Dec. 21 at 5am; Dec. 25 at 5:30am; Dec. 26 at 4pm on EWTN. The Fowler Sisters celebrate Christmas.

Catholic University of America’s Christmas Concert – Dec. 21 at 5:30am; Dec. 23 at 4pm; Dec. 25 at 11pm; Dec. 31 at 11pm on EWTN. The annual Christmas concert from the Catholic University of America.

San Juan Children’s Choir Presents: Siempre Navidad — Dec. 21 at 4pm; Dec. 22 at 10am; Dec. 25 at 4:30am; Dec. 27 at 12pm on EWTN. The San Juan Children’s Choir celebrates Christmas with music from around the world in this concert expressing the joyful spirit of the holidays in Puerto Rico.

Image of God – Christmas — Dec. 21 at 5pm on EWTN. Mary Jo Smith and the Faith Factory kids discuss the meaning of Christmas.

Tajci: A Christmas Broadcast Special — Dec. 21 at 6pm; Dec. 25 at 9pm; Dec. 27 at 3am on EWTN. Croatian singer Tajci (Tatian) performs a Christmas musical concert including seasonal favorites.

The Promise — Dec. 21 at 6:30pm; Dec. 25 at 2:30am; Dec. 27 at 6:30pm on EWTN. A dramatization of Gospel events relating to the Annunciation and birth of Christ.

Carlow Choir Presents: Joy to the World — Dec. 21 at 11pm; Dec. 26 at 5:30pm on EWTN. The Carlow Choir performs sounds of the season.

Mysteries of the Rosary – The Nativity — Dec. 22 at 2:30am on EWTN. Father Patrick Peyton’s Family Theater ministry brings to life the third Mystery of the Rosary.

Joy of Music: The Joy of Christmas in Germany — Dec. 22 at 6:30am on EWTN. Diane Bish hosts this special celebration from Germany featuring Christmas music from some of the greatest classical composers in history.

Joy of Music: Christmas in the Holy Land — Dec. 22 at 6:30pm on EWTN. Diane Bish visits the Holy Land to experience it at Christmas time. Sung Sook Lee, soprano, sings songs from “Messiah,” and other favorite carols are played and sung.

Dana: Our Family Christmas — Dana’s Christmas Special ’97 — Dec. 23 at 2am; Dec. 27 at 10:30am on EWTN. Dana, her family and friends present an old-fashioned family Christmas.

EWTN’s Vatican Report: Christmas Special — Dec. 23 at 3am; Dec. 26 at 10pm; Dec. 31 at 12:30pm; Jan. 2 at 1:30am on EWTN. Preparations in St. Peter’s; a visit to Christmas markets in Rome; manager scenes from around the world; and more.

Joy of Music: Christmas in Bavaria — Dec. 23 at 3:30am on EWTN. Diane Bish celebrates Christmas in Austria and Germany’s historic churches and cathedrals.

Life Is Worth Living: Sawdust Brains — Dec. 23 at 5:30am; Dec. 29 at 6pm on EWTN. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen explains the effect of Christmas on the world.

Feasts & Seasons: The Fourth Week of Advent — Dec. 23 at 6:30am; Dec. 26 at 2:30pm on EWTN. Joanna Bogle explains why Christmas is celebrated on the 25th.

The Joyful Hour — Dec. 23 at 9:30am; Dec. 24 at 8pm; Dec. 27 at 5am; Dec. 29 at 2pm on EWTN. The story of Joseph and Mary is told with an interspersed teaching regarding the rosary, which features actor Pat O’Brien and his family.

Advent Reflections: Week 4 – The Mystery of the Visitation — Dec. 23 at 10:30am on EWTN. From St. Mary’s Chruch in Drogheda, Ireland, Dominican Father Gabriel Harty of Dublin speaks on the fourth week of Advent.

The Legend of the Christmas Flower — Dec. 23 at 11am; Dec. 24 at 2pm; Dec. 28 at 4:30pm on EWTN. An animated tale highlighted by traditional Mexican music.

Mother Angelica Live Classics — 12/16/08 — Dec. 24 at 10am; Dec. 29 at 7pm on EWTN. Mother Angelics offers reflections on keeping Christ in Christmas.

Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve With Pope Benedict XVI — Dec. 24 at 4pm Live; Dec. 25 at 8am & 7pm Replays on EWTN. Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica.

Life Is Worth Living: “The True Meaning of Christmas” — Dec. 24 at 9pm; Dec. 28 at 4am on EWTN. Archbishop Sheen talks about why Christmas is celebrated.

Choral Meditations on the Nativity — Dec. 24 at 10pm; Dec. 26 at 5:30am on EWTN. Live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve — BNSIC — Dec. 24 at 10:30pm; Dec. 25 at 12am on EWTN. From the Bascilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Apostolic Nuncio to the United State, celebrates Christmas Eve mass.

Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve — EWTN — Dec. 25 at 1am; Dec. 26 at 12am on EWTN. The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word celebrate Christmas Mass from their chapel in Irondale, Alabama.

Urbi Et Orbi: Message and Blessing — Dec. 25 at 6am & 10pm; Dec. 27 at 2pm; Dec. 31 at 9pm on EWTN. From St. Peter’s Ioggia, Pope Benedict XVI gives his blessing to the city and the world.

Solemn Mass of Christmas Day — BNSIC — Dec. 25 at 12pm on EWTN. Cardinal Donald Wuerl celebrates Christmas Day mass from the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

We Celebrate Christmas: The Birth of Jesus Christ — Dec. 25 at 5pm on EWTN. A celebration of the Nativity through short Christmas lessons, song, ballet dance and puppetry.

Mother Angelica Live Classics — 12/22/09 — Dec. 25 at 6pm on EWTN. Mother Angelica discusses what it means to have the spirit of Christmas.

In Concert: Corrette’s Christmas Symphonies — Dec. 26 at 1:30am on EWTN. Chamber ensemble La Fantasia performs the Christmas symphonies of 18th-century French composer Michel Corrette.

Joy of Music: Christkindle Christmas II — Dec. 26 at 6:30am on EWTN. Diane Bish fills Europe’s majestic churches with the sounds of Christmas.

The First Christmas — Dec. 26 at 5pm; Dec. 28 at 4pm on EWTN. Christopher Plummer narrates this animated retelling of the Nativity story.

Feasts & Seasons: After Christmas and Up Through Epiphany — Dec. 29 at 5pm; Dec. 30 at 6:30am; Jan. 2 at 2:30pm on EWTN. Joanna Bogle discusses the 12 Days of Christmas leading up to the Epiphany.

Vespers of Thanksgiving — Dec. 31 at 11am & 6:30pm on EWTN. The Pope presides over the first vespers of thanksgiving at the year’s end in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Solemn Mass of Reparation from EWTN — Jan. 1 at 12am & 7am; Jan. 2 at 12am on EWTN. The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word pray to make atonement for the sins of the past year so that we may begin the year anew.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God — Jan. 1 at 4am & 12pm on EWTN. The Solemn Mass of Mary, Mother of God with Pope Benedict XVI, live from St. Peter’s Basilica.