Podcast Summary: The Five – "All American Christmas Tree Lighting" Special

Podcast: The Five (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode: The Five 12-24-2025
Date: December 24, 2025

Overview

This festive episode of The Five departs from the usual political hot topics and instead transports listeners to FOX Square in midtown Manhattan for a joyful, star-studded "All American Christmas Tree Lighting" special. The panel shares heartfelt holiday traditions, celebrates faith, spreads messages of hope, and features musical performances. Special guests include Franklin Graham, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin. The broadcast also emphasizes giving through partnerships with Toys for Tots and Samaritan’s Purse and incorporates Hanukkah reflections and wishes for unity and inclusion.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Setting the Festive Scene & Traditions (00:39 – 07:10)

• Jesse Watters & Panel open at FOX Square, surrounded by family, friends, and a towering, beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
  • Tree stats: 50ft tall, 300,000+ lights, 20,000 ornaments, topped with a six-foot glowing dove.
• Light banter about panelists’ heights and bringing the tree in “with the same machine used to bring The View hosts into ABC.”
• The panel highlights holiday traditions old and new, emphasizing the importance of slowing down and cherishing togetherness.

2. The Meaning of Christmas: Spiritual Leaders Share Reflections (07:11 – 15:58)

• Franklin Graham (Samaritan's Purse, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) imparts the spiritual heart of Christmas:

  "Christmas is about giving. It's about God giving the first gift... his son, Jesus Christ, who came to this earth to take our sins. ... God gave the first gift." (08:09)

• Cardinal Timothy Dolan (Archbishop of New York) offers an interfaith blessing:

  "We, your children, admit noticing a lot of darkness around us... We praise you as the God of light, the light of a Christmas tree we're blessing this evening..." (09:52)

  • Evokes both Christian and Hanukkah traditions, emphasizing “with you the darkness will not prevail.”

3. Heartfelt Christmas Memories & Family Traditions (17:00 – 30:14)

• Jesse & Ainsley Earhardt discuss real vs. fake trees, favorite gifts, and honoring loved ones who’ve passed:

  "I loved what Franklin Graham said, that Jesus is the greatest gift... remembering those who came before us..." (19:10)

• Harris Faulkner talks about her daughter’s first college Christmas and favorite smells of the season:

  "The thing that does it for me are the smells, the scents of Christmas. ...the baking began about two weeks ago. It reminds you of the coziness of Christmas." (22:04)

• Greg & Martha MacCallum reminisce about family snow traditions, tree-toppers, and progressive “husband cooking.”

4. Joy, Humor, and Musical Fun on the Square (32:23 – 40:49)

• Playful exchanges about caroling, Santa impersonations, and wishlists from new participants (“Ruthless boys”) and FOX personalities.

  • Notable wish:

    "The gift I want this year is the 8pm time slot." (37:45)

  • Panel pokes fun at gift expectations and friendly rivalries.

• Chris Tomlin--Live from the rooftop with choir--

  • Notes a rise in spiritual searching:

    "I really feel there's an awakening going on in our nation. ...people are longing for truth. ...longing for peace, forgiveness, the things of Jesus." (42:00)

  • Shares what it meant to honor Charlie Kirk at a memorial through worship music.

  • Performs Christmas classics throughout the episode:

    • “Angels We Have Heard On High” (44:09)
    • “Silent Night” (01:14:30)
    • “Christmas Day” and original worship songs.

5. Giving Back: Toys for Tots, Samaritan’s Purse & Operation Christmas Child (53:40 – 1:01:50)

• Highlights charitable efforts:

  • Toys for Tots: Over 2,000 gifts donated by FOX employees, distributed locally.

    • Gunnery Sergeant Trevor Hilgendorf discusses logistics and history:

      "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." (56:03)

  • Samaritan's Purse: Over 13 million shoeboxes to 130 countries; Franklin Graham shares story of his granddaughter’s box:

    "We want to teach children the importance of giving... We live in a selfish world. ...Operation Christmas Child... it's a great opportunity to bless children." (01:01:21)

6. Hanukkah Reflections & Message of Inclusion (1:04:00 – 1:07:30)

• Rabbi Coleman Samuels (Shaluvah) offers a universal holiday wish:

  "True celebration is only possible when every person, regardless of race... religion or ability, has a place at the table..." (1:05:21)

7. Festive Behind-the-Scenes, Lighthearted Banter, and Family Traditions (throughout)

• Host-side humor: FOX personalities poke fun at each other (“If you’re only mildly obnoxious, they’re grateful.” – Greg, 1:13:50), review their 2025 Christmas campaign, reveal snow globe antics, and share candid family moments (from first-time parents to Italian “Feast of the Seven Fishes”).
• Children on stage: Kids share what they're looking forward to—putting ornaments on the tree, giving Santa cookies and milk.

8. The Climax: All American Christmas Tree Lighting (1:30:40 – 1:34:50)

• The crowd, panel, and children together count down:

  "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..." (1:33:56)

• Christmas carols fill the air, and the tree’s lights blaze to life for all to see.
• Final well-wishes:

  "Merry, merry Christmas, everyone. ... We can't wait to celebrate this entire season with all of you." (1:34:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Franklin Graham (08:09):

  "God so loved this world that he gave his only begotten son... So at Christmas, we celebrate Christmas by giving gifts to one another."

• Cardinal Dolan (09:52):

  "We praise you as the God of light, the light of a Christmas tree we're blessing this evening... With you the darkness will not prevail."

• Chris Tomlin (42:17):

  "It is a magical time of year. But this year it seems different, doesn’t it? ...I really feel there’s an awakening going on in our nation."

• Ainsley Earhardt (19:10):

  "We celebrate him, the birth of our Savior... put little special things around my apartment that remind me of [my mom]..."

• Harris Faulkner (22:04):

  "The thing that does it for me are the smells, the scents of Christmas... it reminds you of the coziness of Christmas."

• Gunnery Sgt. Hilgendorf (56:03):

  "We distribute all across the five boroughs to children that need it the most..."

• Rabbi Samuels (1:05:21):

  "Inclusion is not just a value. It's a call to action and a most meaningful way of life. ... My heartfelt blessing for a happy holiday is that God will fill your homes with good health, joy, light, laughter, and so much love."

• Greg (1:13:50):

  "If you're only mildly obnoxious, they're grateful. Even works better if it’s not a rumor."

• Christmas Tree Countdown (1:33:56):

  "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..." (culminates in tree lighting and carols)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Quote | |-------------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:39 | FOX Square Christmas introduction | | 08:09 | Franklin Graham: Meaning of Christmas | | 09:52 | Cardinal Dolan’s Interfaith Blessing | | 19:10 | Ainsley Earhardt on memories & tradition | | 22:04 | Harris Faulkner on holiday scents | | 42:17 | Chris Tomlin on spiritual “awakening” | | 44:09 | "Angels We Have Heard on High" (performance) | | 56:03 | Gunnery Sgt. Hilgendorf: Toys for Tots logistics | | 1:01:21 | Franklin Graham: Operation Christmas Child | | 1:05:21 | Rabbi Samuels on inclusion | | 1:13:50 | Greg’s "be difficult" job advice | | 1:14:30 | Chris Tomlin: "Silent Night" | | 1:33:56 | Christmas Tree Lighting Countdown | | 1:34:30 | Final holiday wishes |

Conclusion

This special episode of The Five overflowed with Christmas cheer, faith-inspired reflection, personal memories, family traditions, and community spirit. The festivities were enhanced by moving musical performances and a focus on inclusion and giving. The show balanced heartfelt moments with lighthearted banter, ultimately emphasizing what matters most: love, tradition, generosity, and togetherness. For anyone seeking warmth, inspiration, and holiday spirit, this episode serves as a holiday hallmark.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Five!