1) “The First Christmas,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. In the midst of all the candy-cane fluff, there’s actually a serious, documentary-style movie about the nativity. The actors playing Mary and Joseph and others are unknown, but the host is very known. That’s Kevin Costner, who also stars in the brilliant “Field of Dreams” (1989), from 6-8:30 p.m. on BBC America.
2) “CMA Country Christmas,” 10 p.m., ABC. This rerun is perfect to follow the “First Christmas” movie. Alongside the lighter songs, it has serious ones, beautifully rendered by Riley Green, Lauren Daigle and BeBe Winans.
3) “Frosty the Snowman,” 8 p.m., NBC. Now the candy-cane side. This perpetually pleasant cartoon is followed by the so-so “Shrek the Halls” and then a rerun of last year’s “A Motown Christmas.” The Motown show is limited by its outdoor setting, but has strong moments when young singers link with Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight or Martha Reeves.
4) Movies. “Home Alone” and “The Santa Clause” are excellent comedies … at least the first few zillion times you see them. Now they seem to be running perpetually. Tonight, FX has the first two “Home Alone” films at 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Freeform has the three “Santa Clause” ones at 4:15, 6:25 and 8:55.
5) “NCIS: Origins,” 9 p.m., CBS. When her favorite informant is shot, Lala obsesses on the case. That’s the “mid-season” finale for this one, but the other “NCIS” shows have a new hour next week. After that, new episodes resume for all three on Feb. 24