EWTN Press Release

EWTN’s 2009 Christmas Specials

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Christmas is for the young, the young-at-heart, as well as those whose battle-weary hearts need renewal. Whatever your age, give yourself a lift this season with EWTN’s Christmas specials, including children’s programming, original documentaries, movies, musical specials and much more. (For a complete list of EWTN’s Christmas programs, please go to http://bit.ly/8Y7QY9.)

Highlights include:
MUSICAL SPECIALS
Catholic University of America’s Christmas Concert (2009)
The Catholic University of America presents their annual Christmas concert from the magnificent Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. (Airs 1:30 p.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 20; and 6 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25.)

Dana: Our Family Christmas
Join Dana, her family and friends as they present an old-fashioned family Christmas. Hear the meaning of many traditional customs, and gather new ideas for you and your family. (Airs 10 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; and 5 a.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

San Juan Children’s Choir Presents: Siempre Navidad
The San Juan Children’s Choir celebrates Christmas with music from around the world; a unique concert expressing the joyful spirit of the holidays in Puerto Rico. (Airs 11 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; 4:30 p.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; and 1 a.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24.)

The Word is Born: Christmas with the Louisville Chorus
The Louisville Chorus celebrates the sounds of the season in this special presentation of Christmas favorites performed in historic Saint Martin of Tours Church in Louisville, Ky. (Airs 9 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; 11 a.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24; and 4 a.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

Candles and Carols
Anderson University presents their annual candle lighting ceremony with sacred music and scriptural meditations. The program features more than 200 participants performing a wide variety of choral and instrumental pieces. (Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23.)

Fowler Sisters: Christmas Gift
The Fowler Sisters usher in the Christmas season with moving renditions of favorite Christmas classics including "Carol of the Bells," "Mary Did You Know," and "O Holy Night." (Airs 2:30 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 20; 10:30 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; and 10:30 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

Cousins in Christ: Family Christmas
Let the “Cousins in Christ” fill your home with songs celebrating the birth of our Savior, as they share with you a collection of favorite Christmas songs, including “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” and many others. (Airs 2 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 24; and 4 p.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 26.)

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING:
“We are Catholic” Christmas Special
In this EWTN original production, the town of St. Claire is preparing to celebrate Christmas. The mayor wants to have a taller Christmas tree while Manuel and Phillip leave to find moss for the Nativity set. When the owner of the factory surprises everyone by shipping the largest Christmas tree in a helicopter, he is informed that Manuel and Phillip are lost in the forest. In a generous way, he uses the helicopter to rescue them. (Airs 5 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; 10 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 26; and 10 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 27.)

Hermie & Friends: A Fruitcake Christmas
Hermie and his bug friends have a Christmas mystery on their hands when Granny Pillar’s long-anticipated fruitcake disappears. An adventure ensues that leads everyone to make a decision between selfishness and sharing. (Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; and 5:30 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

Kingdom Under the Sea: The Gift
It’s Christmas time in the Kingdom, but somewhere between the presents and decorations, everyone has forgotten what Christmas is really all about; that is, until the town’s arch enemy, Professor Pinch, tries to destroy it. (Airs 5 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 21; 9 a.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24; and 6:30 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

The Story of the Selfish Giant
A grandfather uses Oscar Wilde's timeless tale, “The Story of the Selfish Giant,” to unlock the true meaning of Christmas for his granddaughter. As the selfish giant learns in this story of love and sacrifice, God's unselfish gift of His Son fills us with joy. This charming story and its strong Christian message is bound to be a great holiday favorite. (Airs 9:30 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19; 6 p.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24; and 9:30 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 27.)

The Legend of the Christmas Flower
This Yuletide tale traces the holiday tradition of the poinsettia plant to its roots in the heart of Mexico, where it is known as “la Flor de Navidad,” the Christmas Eve flower. Watch as young Juanito’s cherished dream of a sombrero to call his own blossoms into understanding of the true meaning of Christmas. (Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22; 9 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 26; and 4 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 28.)

· Go Look in the Manger
Eight year-old Ricky Meyer has a misadventure that threatens to darken his Christmas joy, but he soon finds the true meaning of Christmas is in the manger. (Airs 9 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19; 4:30 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 21; and 11 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23.)
· We Celebrate Christmas: The Birth of Jesus
Lammy, the loveable puppet, guides children through the nativity story, and helps them to understand the true meaning of Christmas through lots of singing, dancing, and old-fashioned fun. (Airs 10 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19; and 4 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22.)
· The First Christmas
The timeless Nativity story is narrated by Christopher Plummer with a musical background of familiar carols. (Airs 10:30 a.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19, 4:30 a.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22, 6 p.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; and 6 p.m., Tues., Dec. 28.)
· A Time to Remember
This Christmas favorite tells the story of a young boy who develops his gift of song, with the help of a beloved priest. It’s a journey that requires faith, perseverance, and a Christmas miracle. (Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 19; 9 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23; 1:30 p.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 27.)
ORIGINAL EWTN DOCUMENTARY
· Path of the Messiah, Part One
An EWTN original documentary follows Raymond Arroyo and Jeff Cavins as they travel to the Holy Land to retrace the footsteps of Our Lord. Part One begins this dramatic and beautiful journey into Christ's homeland, fittingly accompanied by Jeff and Raymond's reflections on the Messiah’s mission and ministry. (Airs 1 p.m. ET, Tue., Dec. 22. and 2 a.m. ET, Wed., Dec. 23.)
COOKING SHOW
· Feasts & Seasons: Ep. 5
During this episode, Joanna Bogle explains why we celebrate Christmas on the 25th, and why for many of us, it is truly the “happiest feast of the year.” (Airs 5 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 20; and 6:30 p.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24.)
DRAMA
The Chimes
Written by Charles Dickens and narrated by Derek Jacobi, this is the story of a poor and discouraged 19th century porter. Chiming church bells magically transport him to the future where his hope is renewed. (Airs 4 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 21, 4 p.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 1, and 9:30 a.m. ET, Sat., Jan. 2.)
Michael The Visitor
Narrated by Stockard Channing, this charming fable is an adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic tale about a lost young man with an amazing secret. (Airs 6 p.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 21; 11 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25, and 10:30 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 27.)

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EWTN’s 2009 Christmas Masses & Devotionals



Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Over the years, Catholics around the world have come to depend on EWTN’s coverage of Christmas Mass, Christmas Chorals, the Holy Father’s Christmas message to the world, and more. This year’s schedule is as follows:

Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve with Pope Benedict XVI
Mass with the Holy Father from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (Airs live at 4 p.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 24, and encores at 8 a.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25.)

Choral Meditations on the Nativity (Live)
Live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. (Airs 10 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 24.)

Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
(Airs live 10:30 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 24.)

Solemn Mass of Christmas from EWTN
(Airs live 1 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25, and encores at 12 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25 and 12 a.m. ET, Dec. 26.)

Urbi Et Orbi: Benedict XVI’s Christmas Message to the World
(Airs live 6 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25, and encores at 11 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 25, and 1:30 a.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET, Sat., Dec. 26.)

Vespers of Thanksgiving 2009
Live from St. Peter’s Basilica. (Airs 12 p.m. ET, Thurs., Dec. 31.)

Solemn Mass of Reparation
(Airs from EWTN live at 12 a.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 1 and encores at 8 a.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 1 and 12 a.m. ET, Sat., Jan. 2.)

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
(Airs live from EWTN at 4 a.m. ET, Friday, Jan. 1 and encores at 12 p.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 1.)