SUNDAY, DEC. 11

Nature: Song of the Earth

PBS, 8 p.m.

Did animals’ calls and songs influence mankind's early music? David Attenborough explains human musical structures and then lets us hear from skylarks, humpbacked whales, lyre birds, gibbons and great weed warblers. Re-air from 2002.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11

After the Storm: Religions

Respond to Nature's Fury

CBS, 8 a.m.

This 30-minute show follows various faiths’ recent national and international relief efforts. Catholic Charities of New Orleans is among the groups spotlighted.

MONDAY, DEC. 12

Feast of Our Lady

Of Guadalupe

EWTN

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! EWTN's feast day programs begin with Our Lady of Guadalupe and Miraculous Mexico at 4:30 a.m. Later, Nuestra Senora is venerated in episodes of Our Lady in Scripture and Tradition at 6:30 a.m., Today With Father Rutler at 6 p.m. and The Many Faces of Mary at 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 13

Independent Lens:

Seoul Train

PBS, 10 p.m.

Anyone who wants to grasp the utter cruelty and irrationality of the totalitarian mindset need only watch the North Korean and Chinese communist parties in action. This documentary by Jim Butterworth and Lisa Sleeth uncovers a North Korea starved by rigid socialism, and a people so desperate for food and freedom that they risk torture and death to escape. Those whom the North Koreans don't catch, the Chinese capture and force back. But an underground railroad now is saving at least some refugees.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14

Inside Passage

PBS, 8 p.m.

Chenoa Egawa and Bob Simmons host this 60-minute film on the culture, history and scenic beauty of the thousand-mile waterway between Seattle and the Alaska peninsula. American Indian groups in the area include the Kwakwaka’wakw, the Lummi, the S’Kallam and the Tlingit.

THURSDAY, DEC. 15

Cherub Wings:

The Angel's Song

Familyland TV, 3:30 p.m.

Delight your children — and yourself — with this story of a cherub who follows “the star with royal beauty bright” to the little town of Bethlehem and meets the newborn King.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

Emeril Live: Happy, Happy Holidays

Food Network, 8 p.m.

Chef Emeril Lagasse gets ready for Christmas by preparing roast beef, goose, stuffed onions and butterscotch-chocolate parfait pie.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

Christmas Concert

Familyland TV, 5:30 p.m.

In this hourlong program, the singer Angelina gives reverent and beautiful treatment to our favorite Christmas carols and classics. Re-airs Dec. 23 at 1 p.m.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.