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.) 

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Hosted by Jane Pauley.

COVER STORY: The James Webb Space Telescope's continued gifts
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:

• James Webb Webb Space Telescope (NASA)
• NASA's Space Telescope Science Institute
• Northrop Grumman

     
ALMANAC: December 24
"Sunday Morning" looks at important historical events on this date.

ARTS: Illustrator Sandra Boynton: The Queen of Cards
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:

• sandraboynton.com

'TIS THE SEASON: The Bavarian Village in Washington State
Luke Burbank reports.

For more info:

• Leavenworth, Wash.

'TIS THE SEASON: Carolers bring Christmas deep into a Kentucky cave
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
A wildly-popular multi-season 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 or at thechosenriseup.com; Season 1 is also available on Netflix
• "Season 4" debuts in theaters beginning February 1

     
WORLD: This year in Bethlehem
Imtiaz Tyab reports.

     
'TIS THE SEASON: Young People's Chorus of NYC performs "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
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." 

For more info:

• Young People's Chorus of New York City

     
HARTMAN: TBD
      

MOVIES: A school reunion for Albert Brooks and Rob Reiner
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

COMMENTARY: The horror! Jim Gaffigan on horrible kids' movies
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:

• jimgaffigan.com | "Barely Alive" tour dates

     
COMMENTARY: Father James Martin on another meaning for Christmas
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"
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: TBD
      

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WEB EXCLUSIVES:

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.

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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.

DVR Alert! Find out when "Sunday Morning" airs in your city 

"Sunday Morning" also streams on the CBS News app beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. (Download it here.) 

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Follow us on Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; YouTube; TikTok; and at cbssundaymorning.com.  

You can also download the free "Sunday Morning" audio podcast at iTunes and at Play.it. Now you'll never miss the trumpet!

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David Morgan

David Morgan is senior producer for CBSNews.com and the Emmy Award-winning "CBS News Sunday Morning." He writes about film, music and the arts. He is author of the books "Monty Python Speaks" and "Knowing the Score."

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