"A Christmas Story" (6 p.m., TNT) focuses on a boy Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) who wants a Red Ryder

"A Christmas Story" (6 p.m., TNT) focuses on a boy Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) who wants a Red Ryder BB rifle for Christmas. The 1983 film airs during the annual 24-hour marathon.
It wouldn't be Christmas without "It's a Wonderful Life" (8 p.m., NBC). James Stewart stars in the 1946 Frank Capra classic about the man who wishes he had never been born and gets his wish.
The animated version of the classic tale "Anastasia" (8 p.m., Fox) features the voices of Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Bernadette Peters, Kirsten Dunst and Angela Lansbury. The story follows the overthrow of an empire, a missing princess and a girl who has no memory of her childhood. Despite her lack of total recall, the girl just may be royalty.
Judy Garland stars in "Meet Me in St. Louis," (8 p.m., TCM) a fun piece of Americana that includes her singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
Bing Crosby introduced the song "White Christmas" in the 1942 film, "Holiday Inn" (10 p.m., TCM). Fred Astaire co-stars.
TV takes a brief break from the commercial aspects of the holiday. Christmas Eve services (11:35 p.m.) include midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on NBC, while a Protestant service will be offered on CBS.