All times Eastern

SUNDAY, DEC. 7

Save Our History: USS Arizona

History Channel, 4 p.m.

Relates the history of the battleship Arizona from its construction in 1914 to its sinking, with the loss of 1,177 men, in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Efforts are under way to preserve the vessel, which lies beneath the USS Arizona Memorial.

MONDAY, DEC. 8

Holiday Cookie Extravaganza

Food Network, 10 a.m.

In this special, Sara Moulton travels around our country to take part in Yuletide “cookie swaps” and discover fun Christmas cookie recipes.

TUESDAY, DEC. 9

The Wright Challenge

History Channel, 9 p.m.

To commemorate the centennial of the Wright brothers' historic first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., in December 1903, several enthusiasts have built replica Wright aircraft. In this special, the builders test the flight capabilities of their creations.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10

The Washington Opera Celebration

PBS, 8 p.m.

Placido Domingo sings from Pagliacci, Massenet and Tosti, and other singers perform, accompanied by the Washington Opera Orchestra with Heinz Fricke and Valery Gergiev conducting. This 90-minute program was taped April 13 at the Daughters of the American Revolution's Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10

Great Performances

PBS, 10 p.m.

In this 90-minute program, the Berlin Philharmonic, with Pierre Boulez conducting, holds its Europakonzert 2003 at the 16th-century Mosteiro (Monastery) dos Jeronimos in Lisbon. Pianist Maria Joao Pires performs pieces by Mozart, Debussy and Ravel.

THURSDAY, DEC. 11

Holidays at the White House

A&E, 9 p.m.

Careful design and skilled, painstaking labor go into preparing the executive mansion for Christmas and the holiday season.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12

Today With Father Rutler

EWTN, 10:30 p.m.

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (He Who Talks Like an Eagle) in Mexico City, Dec. 9-12, 1531. She fondly called him “My littlest one” and reminded him, along with all Mexico and each one of us today, “Am I not your Mother?” In this show, Father George Rutler tells all about Our Lady's message.

SATURDAY, DEC. 13

It's a Wonderful Life

NBC, 9 p.m.

Hollywood legend Frank Capra, a Catholic, directed and co-wrote this powerful 1946 story of a problem-laden man who contemplates suicide until his guardian angel helps him realize how much he means to his family and friends. James Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers, Thomas Mitchell and Lionel Barrymore star. A two-hour telecast.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.