Christmas episode

Every TV series has at least one Christmas episode. Two stand out in their poignancy: Family Affair's "Early Christmas" and the Eight is Enough one, airdate Dec. 14th, 1977 (Yes, Nicholas there is a Santa Clause part 2). The first part is ridiculous with Will Geer (Grandpa Walton) playing a fake thief Santa, but then it weaves in the death of their mother Joan (actress Diane Hyland died after the first four episodes 8 months prior). I saw this series in its original airing. Also this was actually one of Will Geer's last performances before he died and then the Waltons had their own death-of-Grandpa episode.