Podcast Summary: The Five – All-American Christmas Tree Lighting

Date: November 21, 2025
Host(s): The Five Voices of FOX News
Location: Fox Square, Midtown Manhattan

Episode Overview

This special episode of "The Five" brings the holiday spirit to life from Fox Square with the annual All-American Christmas Tree Lighting. Blending warmth, tradition, faith, and plenty of laughs, the panel discusses what makes this season meaningful, spotlights charitable initiatives, and welcomes special guests, culminating in the lighting of a towering Christmas tree.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

Holiday Traditions, Family, and Faith

• Kicking Off the Season Together
  The hosts emphasize the importance of gathering with friends and loved ones, encouraging viewers to "slow down just a little bit and focus on what truly matters: laughter, love, and traditions" (00:05).

• Reflecting on the Meaning of Christmas

  • Franklin Graham (President of Samaritan's Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) delivers a moving message about the significance of giving and the original Christmas gift—the birth of Jesus Christ:

    "Christmas is about giving. About God giving the first gift. He gave his son, Jesus Christ... So at Christmas, we honor Jesus Christ and remember what he did for us." (02:00)

  • Cardinal Timothy Dolan also provides a heartfelt prayer, highlighting hope in times of darkness and the enduring "light of the world" brought by Jesus (05:10).

• Light-Hearted Banter Among Hosts

  • Jokes fly about the height order of hosts near the tree, differences in Christmas trees (real vs. fake), and playful ribbing around decorating and Christmas mishaps (08:50-13:20).

Charitable Giving and Goodwill

• FOX News & Partner Charities
  • The hosts spotlight partnerships with organizations like Samaritan’s Purse (Operation Christmas Child) and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots.
  • Gunnery Sgt. Trevor Hilgendorf joins to discuss Toys for Tots, with more than 2,000 gifts donated by FOX News employees for New York City children (58:45).

    "The logistics, it's hard to get a toy into a box and into our hands. And then from there we distribute all across the five boroughs to children that need it the most." (59:40)

  • Franklin Graham returns later to showcase an Operation Christmas Child shoebox, detailing their global reach and the value of teaching children to give (01:22:40).

Holiday Memories from FOX Personalities

• Personal Reflections on Christmas
  • Ainsley Earhardt shares about carrying on family traditions and cherishing memories of her late mother:

    "Just remembering those who came before us and celebrating with family and being generous." (16:55)

  • Harris Faulkner recalls the importance of family, scents, and traditions, especially in a year marked by personal loss.
  • The panel discusses real vs. fake trees, Christmas décor, and the comfort of "organized chaos" with large family gatherings.

Inclusion, Hanukkah, and Broader Celebrations

• Rabbi Coleman Samuels’s Message (01:18:40)*
  • Offers a Hanukkah reflection, encouraging inclusion, serenity, and ensuring everyone "has a place at the table, a song to sing and is part of the warmth and togetherness."

    "Inclusion is not just a value. It's a call to action and a most meaningful way of life."

Festivities, Fun, and Performances

• On-Air Performances

  • Chris Tomlin, a leading figure in Christian music, provides musical highlights throughout the event, performing classics like "Angels We Have Heard on High" (37:30), "Christmas Day" (46:15), and "Silent Night" (01:24:54; see Memorable Moments below).

• Santa’s Appearance and Kids’ Wishes (01:00:10)

  • Kids joyfully share gift requests with Santa, including bracelet kits and even a gecko.
  • Santa reassures: "Even if you have bad days, you still make up for it. Have more good days than bad days and you end up being on the nice list." (01:04:45)

• Hosts’ Family Traditions

  • Rosanna Scotto talks about the Italian ‘night of seven fishes’ celebration:

    "Only Italians would think eating seven courses of fishes is fasting." (01:29:40)

  • Sandra Smith describes old-school tradition: cutting down and decorating the family Christmas tree on Christmas Eve (01:31:25).

Grand Finale: The Tree Lighting

• Children Take Center Stage
  Kids join the hosts on stage, eagerly anticipating lighting the tree and sharing the excitement of the holiday season (01:35:40).
• Lighting Ceremony and Closing Carol
  After a festive countdown, the towering Christmas tree, adorned with 300,000 lights and 20,000 ornaments, is lit, filling the square and viewers' screens with joy. The celebration ends in song with "Joy to the World" (01:38:35).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Franklin Graham on Giving (02:00)

  "God gave the first gift. So at Christmas, we celebrate Christmas by giving... in honor and memory of what God did when he gave the first gift, His son, Jesus Christ."

• Cardinal Dolan’s Prayer (05:10)

  "...even darkness inside us... We praise you as the God of light... With you, the darkness will not prevail."

• Everyday Christmas Joys (Hosts Panel)

  • Ainsley Earhardt: "So just remembering those who came before us, celebrating with family and being generous." (16:55)
  • Harris Faulkner: "The thing that does it for me are the smells, the scents of Christmas... that reminds you of the coziness of Christmas." (21:10)

• Chris Tomlin (On the Mood in America) (37:53)

  "I think people are longing for what's real. They're longing for peace, forgiveness, the things of Jesus."

• Santa’s Advice to Kids (01:04:45)

  "Even if you have bad days, you still make up for it. Have more good days than bad days and you end up being on the nice list."

• Rosanna Scotto on Italian Christmas: (01:29:55)

  "Only Italians would think eating seven courses of fishes is fasting."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:05 – Show open, introduction, theme of togetherness and holiday spirit
• 02:00 – Franklin Graham’s Christmas reflection
• 05:10 – Cardinal Dolan’s prayer for light and hope
• 08:50 – Host banter about Christmas trees and traditions
• 16:55 – Ainsley Earhardt on honoring loved ones
• 21:10 – Harris Faulkner on family and holiday scents
• 37:30 – Chris Tomlin’s first live performance (“Angels We Have Heard on High”)
• 46:15 – Second Chris Tomlin performance (“Christmas Day”)
• 58:45 – Marines’ Toys for Tots with Sgt. Hilgendorf
• 01:00:10 – Santa’s appearance, kids’ gift wishes
• 01:18:40 – Hanukkah reflection from Rabbi Samuels
• 01:22:40 – Franklin Graham on Operation Christmas Child
• 01:24:54 – Chris Tomlin performs “Silent Night”
• 01:29:40 – Rosanna Scotto on Italian feasts
• 01:31:25 – Sandra Smith’s old-fashioned tree tradition
• 01:35:40 – Kids join stage for tree lighting, sharing excitement
• 01:38:35 – Official tree lighting ceremony, “Joy to the World” finale

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode overflows with warmth, cheer, reverence, and laughter. The hosts' camaraderie, coupled with heartfelt messages and the joy of children, made it both a celebration of faith and a tribute to family and tradition. Humor and “family table” banter kept the mood bright throughout.

Summary

This All-American Christmas Tree Lighting episode is a feel-good celebration, weaving together messages of faith, charity, family, and unity. With dynamic host conversations, stirring musical performances, and genuine moments of reflection, it sets the tone for a holiday season built on giving, gratitude, and togetherness—leaving listeners inspired to both cherish their traditions and extend kindness to others.