All times Eastern

SUNDAY, DEC. 16

The White House Christmas 2001

Home & Garden, 9 p.m.

Spectacular decorations, hung with care by artisans and volunteers, make the president's mansion more beautiful than ever during the Christmas season.

MONDAY, DEC. 17

Digging for the Truth: Archaeology and the Bible

History Channel, 9 p.m.

This two-hour world premiere describes biblical archaeology in the Holy Land, past and present, and its potential ramifications for faith and geopolitics alike. Some Zionists and Palestinians see discoveries as affecting claims to territory, and some Christians and atheists interpret discoveries as bearing on Christianity's authenticity. Catholic viewers of this show will remind themselves to seek out and rely on the Church's official positions rather than the shifting opinions of scientists or politicians.

TUESDAY, DEC. 18

A Star for Jeremy

EWTN, 4:30 p.m.

In this touching Christmas cartoon, a little boy and a certain little star discover that God has them in his loving providence. To be rebroadcast Sunday, Dec. 23, at 6:30 p.m. and Christmas Day at 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19

Nutcracker Swing

PBS; check local listings for time

In this lively show, the Kurt Mazur-conducted New York Philharmonic's “Nutcracker Suite” alternates with movements from the EllingtonStrayhorn “Nutcracker” arrangement performed by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19

Amato: A Love Affair with Opera

PBS; check local listings for time

Tony and Sally Amato founded their Amato Opera House company in a remodeled brownstone in Greenwich Village in 1948. They still enjoy doing everything — from conducting to staging to ticket-taking. Their young artists gain experience while performing on a small stage for an audience of 107. (Advisory: one instance of profanity.)

THURSDAY, DEC. 20

The Bible's Greatest Secrets

History Channel, 9 p.m.

This program shows archaeologists at work in the Holy Land and predicts that high-tech tools will change the future of biblical archaeology. (Advisory: Programs like this give Catholic parents the chance to alert kids to trust the Church alone and to take commentators’ views with a grain of salt — or a shaker of it).

FRIDAY, DEC. 21

The Gospel According to Luke

EWTN, 11 p.m.

In all the fuss of the “holiday” season, we can always go to St. Luke and find rest and peace for our souls in his timeless reporting from the stable in Bethlehem.

SATURDAY, DEC. 22

Kenny Rogers: Keep Christmas with You

Hallmark Channel, 7 p.m.

In Branson, Mo., five Boys and Girls Club members sing Christmas carols along with host Kenny Rogers and guests Boyz II Men, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.