Everyone knows the story of perhaps the best-known, best-loved Christmas film ever made. What would life have been like in Bedford Falls, New York if George Bailey had never been born.

Will Clarence the Apprentice Angel get his wings for stopping Bailey’s suicide? Will greedy old Mr. Potter get his hands on the Savings & Loan?  After his father’s death, his responsibilities at the S&L, and family life, will George Bailey ever get to see the world?  Will it matter?

You know, but it’s a great show anyway. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed star in Frank Capra’s classic It’s A Wonderful Life.  We even learn what happens if someone gets the moon.  Enjoy it with our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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The Night Santa Stole Christmas: Created by a man with a mic, a Mac and a kitchen table. Answering those key questions such as “Who is Santa’s brother?” “How does he decide who’s naughty and nice?” “Does being Santa do his back any good?”

Here we have a story designed to delight, enthrall and give a warm Christmassy feeling. Whilst taking the piss out of everything.

Download it quick before it gets devalued and repossessed!

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(Read on …)

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“The Fir Tree”

By Hans Christian Andersen

Read by Christopher Pellegrini

Far away in the forest, where the warm sun and the fresh air made a sweet resting place, grew a pretty little fir tree. The situation was all that could be desired; and yet it was not happy, it wished so much to be like its tall companions, the pines and firs which grew around it.

The sun shone, and the soft air fluttered its leaves, and the little peasant children passed by, prattling merrily; but the fir tree did not heed them.

Sometimes the children would bring a large basket of raspberries or strawberries, wreathed in straws, and seat themselves near the fir tree, and say, “Is it not a pretty little tree?” which made it feel even more unhappy than before.

(Read on …)

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“Our Christmas present to you is the new Christmas classic of our time, Miracle on 34th Street.

“It’s wrapped in a gay covering of laughter, tied with a bright ribbon of good humor, and decorated with the three sparkling stars of the 20th Century Fox picture: Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn.”

Last year, TPR brought you the story that created our image of the Christmas spirit. This year, we’ll bring you the poem that created our modern image of Santa Claus. And now, TPR gives you the modern classic story that put those two things together - Santa Claus as Kris Kringle the man, who tells us that Christmas is not a day, but a spirit we carry with us everywhere, everyday. These days, it seems hackneyed, but it was less so when the Lux Radio Theater broadcast it’s version of Miracle on 34th Street in 1948.

Starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn, in an Oscar-winning turn as Kris Kringle. Seriously. The real one.

And just because we here at TPR wish you all a Merry Christmas, we’re bringing you not one, but two different old time radio versions of Miracle on 34th Street starring Edmund Gwenn. The other, the Screen Director’s Playhouse version of 1949, is available here.

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After winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a Macy’s Santa Claus named Kris Kringle in the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street, Edmund Gwenn reprised the role on the Lux Radio Theater in 1948 (also available from TPR), then again in the 1949 Screen Director’s Playhouse presentation TPR brings you here.

Fans of this classic Christmas story will notice that both the Lux version and this one differ not only from each other, but from the original film itself.

Merry Christmas.

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 Miracle on 34th Street: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Hans Christian Andersen

Read by Christopher Pellegrini

This is the sad, but beautiful, story of a forgotten child. To support her family she sells bundles of matches out in the streets, but on this day, New Years Eve, she has not been able to earn a single penny. She is cold and she takes cover from the wind and the snow under the eaves between two houses.

This is the story of many children around the world. As the holidays approach, it is important that we remember those children who resemble the little girl in this fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. While there is no time of year when people stop giving, this is the season when we can try even harder to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

There is a little match girl or boy in every neighborhood around the world.

(Read on …)

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Dear Listeners,

This podcast has seen a phenomenal number of listens since April.� In fact, it has been listened to more lately than it was back around Christmastime, when it was originally released.� We are, of course, happy to see this and hope you enjoy it.

If you’re reading this, we’d like to request a small favor - no it’s not money.� Just leave a comment below, tell� us how you found this and what made you look for it - it would greatly satiate� our curiosity.

Thanks.

- 太平洋横断放送　(June 13, 2007)�

�

By O. Henry

Read by Garrett DeOrio

The iconic Christmas story, the one that invented what we all now think of as the greatest sort of gift just as it credited the Magi with inventing the giving of Christmas presents, is read here by Garrett DeOrio.

It is said that O. Henry, the master of the surprise ending, the “O. Henry twist,” who, in his real life as William Sydney Porter, was an alcoholic imprisoned for three years for embezzlement, wrote his best-known story at Pete’s Tavern on Irving Place in New York City. The story quickly became a classic and has since been reinterpreted or referenced in other stories, on film, and in whatever venue Christmas stories are told. Its influence stretches from the late 19th century, when it was written, to Disney to Sesame Street to Futurama to Mystery Science Theater 3000 and countless other stories. O. Henry’s idea of what makes the greatest gifts great has even influenced some stories about the Magi themselves. In short, “The Gift of the Magi” is the Christmas Story, even if neither Santa nor Christ ever makes an appearance.

It’s a safe bet that O. Henry has as much to do with your idea of the true meaning of Christmas as any other individual, including Christ himself.

Merry Christmas and thank you for listening.

(Read on …)

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By Lisa Wheeler

Read by Jarad Dickinson

One for the kiddies. Jarad Dickinson gives a humorous and engaging reading of a fun, modern children’s Christmas story that lets us know what it’s like for some of Santa’s most important helpers the rest of the year.

Thanks for listening.

Merry Christmas.

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As told by Aaron Shepard

Read by Chris Pellegrini

“Van Amsterdam, the baker, is as honest as he can be—but he may have something left to learn.”

A story with a moral, Aaron Shepard’s retelling of this classic tale is a warm, fuzzy one. Fun for the whole family.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day, Merry Christmas, and thank you for listening.

Painting: “The Baker” by Mary Custis Straughn

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