This week on "Sunday Morning" (December 24)
The Emmy Award-winning "CBS News Sunday Morning" is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. "Sunday Morning" also streams on the CBS News app beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. (Download it here.)
Hosted by Jane Pauley.
WATCH THE COMPLETE DECEMBER 24 BROADCAST!
COVER STORY: The James Webb Space Telescope's continued gifts | Watch Video
On Christmas Day 2021 the James Webb Space Telescope was blasted into orbit. In the two years since the telescope has performed like a champ, capturing phenomenal images of the heavens and collecting data about distant planets. Correspondent David Pogue reports on the spectacular findings we continue to receive from this remarkable eye on the universe.
For more info:
ALMANAC: December 24 (Video)
"Sunday Morning" looks at important historical events on this date.
ARTS: Illustrator Sandra Boynton: The Queen of Cards (Video)
She may be the mother of all greeting card designers: Illustrator Sandra Boynton, whose delightful animal characters have helped her build a publishing empire of cards, children's books and, coming soon, an album of Christmas music featuring an all-star lineup of singers, including Lyle Lovett and Patti LuPone. Correspondent Tracy Smith reports.
For more info:
HARTMAN: Bringing Christmas joy at a time of tragedy (Video)
In a duplex on Detroit's west side, Colin McConnell discovered that his upstairs neighbor, Donald Wilson, had lost the love of his life and mother of his three young children. And so, he posted a video to social media asking for anything to help Wilson's family. As Steve Hartman reports, sharing the Christmas spirit can be powerful, especially when it's delivered from strangers.
'TIS THE SEASON: Carolers bring Christmas deep into a Kentucky cave (Video)
A December tradition in South Central Kentucky is the annual Cave Sing concert, featuring local musicians and singers caroling 140 feet beneath the Earth's surface. Correspondent Conor Knighton travels to Mammoth Cave National Park to experience holiday music with acoustics unmatched anywhere aboveground.
For more info:
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, Ky. (National Park Service)
- Cave Sing 2023
- The Caveman Chorus
TV: "The Chosen": A Jesus and his disciples for the modern age | Watch Video
A wildly-popular faith-based series about the life of Jesus and his disciples, "The Chosen" explores the human backstories of Biblical figures. Correspondent Lee Cowan visits the Texas set of the series; talks with writer-director Dallas Jenkins and star Jonathan Roumie; and witnesses a "Chosen" fan convention where cosplayers dress up in 1st century attire.
To watch a trailer for Season 4 of "The Chosen" click on the video player below:
For more info:
- "The Chosen" Season 4 will be available to stream in The Chosen app; Season 1 is also available on Netflix
- "Season 4" debuts in theaters beginning February 1
'TIS THE SEASON: "Willkommen" to Washington State's own Bavarian village (Video)
Nestled amidst the Cascade Mountains in Washington State, Leavenworth historically didn't have a strong connection to the Old World. But after the railroad re-routed and the lumber mill closed, the tiny town began a process of "Bavarianization" to lure tourists to its alpine scenery. Today the place regularly shows up on lists of top Christmas destinations in America, even drawing millions of tourists all year long. Correspondent Luke Burbank examines how a former boom town gone bust remade itself as a German mountain village.
For more info:
- Leavenworth, Wash.
- Greater Leavenworth Museum, Leavenworth, Wash.
- Enzian Inn, Leavenworth, Wash.
- Posthotel, Leavenworth, Wash.
COMMENTARY: The horror! Jim Gaffigan on horrible kids' movies | Watch Video
The comedian says that the sacrifices parents typically make for their offspring pale in comparison to buying tickets and sitting through objectively bad movies geared towards children.
For more info:
MOVIES: A school reunion for Albert Brooks and Rob Reiner | Watch Video
Sixty years ago Albert Brooks (who would go on to become one of the funniest comedians alive) and Rob Reiner (who would star in "All in the Family" and become an Oscar-nominated director) met as drama students at Beverly Hills High School. They recently returned to talk with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz about their enduring friendship, which has led to Reiner's new HBO documentary, "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life."
To watch a trailer for "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" click on the video player below:
For more info:
- "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" is on HBO and streaming on Max
- Thanks to Beverly Hills High School
'TIS THE SEASON: Young People's Chorus of NYC performs "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (Video)
It's a holiday tradition: members of the Young People's Chorus of New York City, directed by Francisco Núñez, gift "Sunday Morning" viewers a performance of "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
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WORLD: Palestinian pastor on war in Gaza: "It feels that even God is silent" (Video)
The Rev. Munther Isaac, a Palestinian Christian in Bethlehem, says that, after nearly three months of death, destruction and shattered lives on both sides of the Israeli-Hamas war, there is no Christmas in the city traditionally viewed as the birthplace of Jesus. Correspondent Imtiaz Tyab reports on the somberness of Christmas 2023, from holy sites empty of pilgrims, to the despair felt by those caught in the conflict.
COMMENTARY: Father James Martin on another meaning for Christmas (Video)
The Jesuit priest and author of "Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle" suggests an alternative meaning of the season for everyone to consider, regardless of their faith.
For more info:
- "Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle" by James Martin SJ (Harper One), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org
- James Martin SJ
'TIS THE SEASON: Young People's Chorus of NYC performs "Jingle Bells" (Video)
Members of the Young People's Chorus of New York City, directed by Francisco Núñez, gift "Sunday Morning" viewers a performance of "Jingle Bells."
NATURE: Snow geese in South Dakota (Extended Video)
We leave you this Sunday with some 500,000 snow geese on Lake Thompson in South Dakota. Videographer: Kevin Kjergaard.
WEB EXCLUSIVES:
FROM THE ARCHIVES: The photographer's eye II (YouTube Video)
More classic "Sunday Morning" interviews with noted photographers, including a 1982 profile of Bruce Davidson, who documents passengers on New York City's subway; from 1984, Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt on capturing the "intimacies of history"; from 1995, Sebastião Salgado discusses preserving the toil and dignity of workers; from 2001, celebrity photographer Harry Benson on orchestrating boxers and Beatles; and from 2020, outdoor photographer Erin Sullivan on how - adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic - she turned her attention to miniature scenes shot indoors.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: The photographer's eye (YouTube Video)
Watch classic "Sunday Morning" interviews with noted photographers, including a 2001 profile of Mary Ellen Mark; from 1980, Henri-Cartier Bresson narrates an exhibition of his work; two interviews, from 1981 and 1991, of photographer-painter Chuck Close, recorded before and after suffering paralysis; from 2000, William Wegman, noted for playfully photographing his Weimaraners; and from 2002, portraitist and fashion photographer Richard Avedon looks back on his career.
The Emmy Award-winning "CBS News Sunday Morning" is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. Executive producer is Rand Morrison.
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