Monday, December 25
9 AM – Mississippi College's 32nd Annual Festival of Lights Concert
The Mississippi College Singers present their annual “Festival of Lights” Christmas performance, filmed before a live audience at MC’s historic Provine Chapel. Songs and scripture readings tell the story of the birth of Jesus in the English traditions of Lessons and Carols. Conducted by Mark Nabholz.
10 AM – Paul Winter's 37the Annual Winter Solstice Celebration
Since 1980, saxophonist Paul Winter has brought musicians from around the world together for his Winter Solstice Celebration, a festive performance marking the passing of the longest night and the return of the sun. The annual concert draws thousands of visitors to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Upper Manhattan. Winter's soprano sax echoes throughout the world's largest Gothic cathedral, leading a spectacle of music, dance and theater. As he has since its inception, WNYC's John Schaefer hosts NPR's broadcast.
11 AM – Tinsel Tales 3: NPR Christmas Stories
In keeping with a well-loved NPR holiday tradition, Lynn Neary hosts a collection of extraordinary Christmas stories that will transport you to unexpected places.
Audie Cornish, Ken Harbaugh, Nina Totenberg and other voices from NPR's past and present tell stories of the season in this hour-long special. Some tales are funny; some are touching; some are insightful or irreverent or nostalgic or surprising. You might recognize them from our broadcast archives — or you might fall in love with them for the first time.
2 PM – Peace on the Battlefield: The Christmas Truce of 1914 and Manassas Peace Jubilee
Two instances when peace broke out – right on the field of battle. First, the impromptu but widespread unofficial Christmas Truce of 1914 in the early months of fighting in Europe in World War 1. Also the story of the National Jubilee of Peace – the first major gathering of Civil War veterans from the North and South in 1911 - 50 years after the Battle of Bull Run at Manassas.
3 PM – A Crosby & Friends Christmas
Host and producer Jim Raposa creates a loving tribute to the man whose voice remains the soundtrack of the Christmas season, 40 years since Bing's death. Raposa has gone through the Crosby catalog of holiday classics and incorporates interviews with Rosemary Clooney, Maxene Andrews and Bing Crosby himself! The show also features a rare 1940s radio performance of Bing and Frank Sinatra performing a hilarious rivalry parody. This special celebrates the quintessential voice of Christmas, Bing Crosby with a collection of studio recordings plus performances from film, television and radio. This is a one of a kind tribute to a one of a kind performer.
7 PM – The Morehouse Spelman Christmas Concert
The choirs of two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation join together to present a spine-tingling concert program.
8 PM – A Christmas Carol
A sound-rich audio drama of the famous Charles Dickens story.
9 PM – A Very BLUE Christmas (Christmas Blues)
This is a BLUES Christmas party. Begin this year's holiday with some of the best Blues holiday classics of all time.
10 PM – A Cool Christmas (Christmas Jazz)
An hour-long program of classic jazz. Come along for a jazz sleigh ride with music from Shirley Horn, Paul Bley, Duke Ellington, and more.
Tuesday, December 26
9 AM – The Days After Christmas
An exploration of the days following December 25th, including their significance and some common household traditions. Also included are readings of Longfellow and Oursler.
10 AM – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – The Christmas Message of Hope
Today, the fifth of six programs honouring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's the final lecture of Dr. King's Massey lectures. This one is more a sermon than a lecture- it aired on Christmas Eve 1967.
11 AM – The Moth Holiday Special 2016: Unexpected Gifts of December
A special Holiday Hour from The Moth. The unexpected gifts of December: holiday customs, brand new traditions, flying cows, fruit, luminaries and a magical forest. Hosted by The Moth’s Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.
2 PM – Mississippi College's 32nd Annual Festival of Lights Concert
The Mississippi College Singers present their annual “Festival of Lights” Christmas performance, filmed before a live audience at MC’s historic Provine Chapel. Songs and scripture readings tell the story of the birth of Jesus in the English traditions of Lessons and Carols. Conducted by Mark Nabholz.
3 PM – Elvis' Christmas Album
Everything you always wanted to know about Elvis' Christmas Album, but never knew to ask.
7 PM – Hanukkah Lights 2017
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, the lighting of the menorah and the spiritual strength of the Jewish people. It's a time to celebrate family, tradition, miracles and mitzvahs.
For the 27th year in a row, NPR celebrates the Festival of Lights with stories of the season. Join Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz as they read tales by Andrea Kamens, Debra Darvick, Elizabeth Graver, Grace Paley and Evan Guilford-Blake.
8 PM – Winding Up for Chanukah
Tune in to the next "Sounds Jewish" for the Chanukah playlist you know you need as the holiday begins next week -- with recordings by everyone from Adam Sandler to Sharon Jones to Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt.
9 PM – Backstory with the American History Guys: Judaism in America
On Dec. 24th, Jewish communities across the country begin celebrating Hanukkah. The annual holiday celebrates the victory of the Jews over the Greeks, and marks the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC. Roughly 2% of the U.S. population is Jewish, but the influence of American Jews far outweighs their relatively small numbers. In this episode of BackStory, the Guys (along with guest host Joanne Freeman of Yale University) explore the history of Judaism in America.
10 PM – Grassroots Christmas 2017
Grassroots is a two-hour presentation of bluegrass, acoustic and folk music. Don't miss this special Christmas episode.
