Listen for the return of a Christmas tradition…”KXEL Classic Christmas Radio Theater” with Wyatt Cox, from noon to midnight on Christmas Eve (Sat. Dec. 24)

12 p.m.  – The Jack Benny Special Christmas Show, originally broadcast December 2, 1956.   The traditional and very funny visit to the department store for Christmas shopping.

1 p.m.  – CBS Radio Workshop, originally broadcast December 23, 1956, All Is Bright. The story of how “Silent Night” came to be written and became world famous.  Also, The Treasury Star Parade, originally broadcast December 24, 1942, A Modern Scrooge starring Lionel Barrymore. A Wartime Christmas Carol.

2 p.m.  – An hour of the Bob Hope Show. First, from December 7, 1948, Doris Day and Bob go Christmas shopping. Bob and guest Bing Crosby do one of their snappy routines.  Then, from December 20, 1949, Bob and guest Rhonda Fleming appear in a skit about a happily married couple, based on their newly released film, “The Great Lover.” And of course, Bing Crosby stops by.

3 p.m.  – Grand Central Station, December 24, 1949, Miracle for Christmas starring Mason Adams. The sixth consecutive presentation of the show’s traditional program. A well-done and very moving Christmas story.  Also Lum n Abner, originally broadcast December 24, 1942.  Abner’s family is waiting to decorate the Christmas Tree, but he and Lum are “testing” a new electric train.

4 p.m.  – Fred Allen, originally broadcast December 18, 1940, 82 years ago, Santa Claus Sits Down. The case histories of child geniuses. Jack Benny is the only person to ever mail in a tea bag for a refill. Stuart Canin, the fourteen year old violinist who played, “The Bee” and started the Benny-Allen feud returns. Once again, he plays Schubert’s, “The Bee.” The Texaco Workshop Players present, “Santa Claus Sits Down, or, “Jingle Bells Shall Not Ring Tonight.”

5 p.m.  – Dragnet starring Jack Webb, originally broadcast December 22, 1953, 69 years ago, The Big Little Jesus.  A Los Angeles Mission reports the statue of Jesus has been stolen the day before Christmas. Also Thunder in the Valley, broadcast in December 1950, a Christmas Seal appeal. The story of how the National Tuberculosis Association got an X-Ray machine for a small town.

6 p.m.  – Amos n Andy, originally broadcast December 23, 1951, 71 years ago, The Annual Christmas Show. Andy gets a job as a Santa at a department store, and Amos tells his daughter the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer. Also the Bill Stern Sports Newsreel, originally broadcast December 21, 1945 with guest Ezra Stone. All Christmas stories in this program.

7 p.m.  – Theater Royal, originally broadcast December 24, 1953, 69 years ago, A Christmas Carol starring Sir Laurence Olivier.  The classic Dickens story about Scrooge and Bob Cratchet…and Tiny Tim, of course. Also, Guest Star, originally broadcast December 16, 1951, Stand-in for Santa starring Macdonald Carey.

8 p.m.  – Screen Director’s Playhouse, originally broadcast May 8, 1949, 73 years ago, It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart.  The radio adaptation of the motion picture featuring Arthur Q. Bryan as Clarence, and Hans Conried as Mr. Potter. Also Fibber McGee and Molly, originally broadcast December 21, 1953,69 years ago,  wrapping a Christmas Gift for Aunt Sarah.  Fibber is wrapping a Christmas present for Aunt Sarah. A trip to the post office follows.

9 p.m.  – Jack Benny goes Christmas Shopping again.  First from December 5, 1954, 68 years ago, Jack Benny buys paints for Don Wilson. Jack goes Christmas shopping for oil paints for Don Wilson.  Also Phil Harris and Alice Faye from December 19, 1948, 74 years ago, A Visit from Santa Claus.  Jack Benny plays Santa (for a price) for Phil’s kids.

10 p.m.  – Lady Esther presents Orson Welles, originally broadcast December 22, 1941, 81 years ago. A Christmas program, featuring “The Nativity” from St. Luke, Chapter 2. “The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde and poetry by G.K. Chesterton. Also Douglas Edwards at the North Pole from 1946, 76 years ago.  The (then young) newsman talks about his visit to the North Pole.

11 p.m.  – The Greatest Story Ever Told, originally broadcast December 21, 1947, 75 years ago, No Room at the Inn.  Also Lum n Abner, originally broadcast December 24, 1949, 73 years ago, The Traditional Christmas Show.