Gone are the days of the Bob Hope Christmas specials, the annual showcase of comedy, music and cheesecake in war theaters from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf.

But in the Bob Hope spirit, the “WWE Monday Night RAW” (8 p.m., USA) offers a “Tribute to the Troops,” a series of professional wrestling spectacles featuring some of the biggest names in the business as well as the public face of the WWE, Vince McMahon. This marks the fifth straight year that WWE talent has traveled to Iraq to entertain the troops around the holidays.

¢ An uplifting story of a very different nature also begins in Baghdad. “Rescuing Youssif” (9 p.m., CNN) recalls the horrific fate of an innocent Iraqi child and the heartwarming response to his story from Internet users and CNN viewers from around the world.

Born only seven months before the American invasion, Youssif grew up knowing only the chaos of war. One day while eating chips in front of his family’s small apartment, masked gunmen doused him with gasoline and set him on fire. He was only 5 years old. His father and family did not seem to be part of any religious or political faction. The act seemed as mindlessly cruel as it was needless.

CNN.com’s report on Youssif sparked more response than any other nonbreaking news story. Readers from Africa to America offered prayers, good wishes money and professional aid to the victim.

Soon, CNN arranged for him to be flown to Los Angeles for treatment at an acclaimed Children’s Burn Center. With “Rescuing Youssif,” CNN has a classic story that is no less “feel-good” for all of the promotional possibilities it affords the network.

¢ In keeping with another tradition of long standing, TBS will broadcast 12 consecutive airings of the 1983 favorite “A Christmas Story” (7 p.m., TBS), giving viewers plenty of chances to become disillusioned by the gimmick surrounding the Little Orphan Annie decoder ring.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ James Stewart and Donna Reed star in the 1946 holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” (7 p.m., NBC). Attempted suicide and bank failure have never been more heartwarming.

¢ Steve Martin stars in the 2003 remake of “Cheaper by the Dozen” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ Boris Karloff narrates the 1966 animated special “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ The voices of Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Ben Stiller animate the 2005 comedy “Madagascar” (8 p.m., ABC).

Cult choice

Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes, “Whale Rider”) and Joseph (Oscar Isaac) seek shelter and earn the wrath of an angry King Herod in the 2006 biblical drama “The Nativity Story” (7 p.m., HBO).