FRANKIE DECIDES TO THROW A CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY AT THE HOUSE - AGAINST MIKE'S WISHES -- AND SUE CALLS ON REVEREND TIMTOM TO EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS TO BRICK, ON ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

"A Christmas Gift" - On a tipsy whim - and against Mike's wishes - Frankie decides to throw a Christmas Eve party at the house; Mike buys Frankie a much needed new dishwasher for Christmas, but has a hard time keeping it a secret when she begs him to replace the old one before the party; Sue calls on Reverend TimTom to explain the meaning of Christmas to Brick when he reads the Bible and begins to question it; and Axl gets annoyed with Bob when he tries too hard to be cool in order to befriend him while working together on a Christmas tree lot, on "The Middle," TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 12/7/11)

"The Middle" stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Chris Kattan as Bob Weaver, Paul Hipp as Reverend TimTom, Jen Ray as Nancy Donahue, Julie Brown as Paula Norwood, Pat Finn as Bill Norwood, Malcolm Foster Smith as Dave, Ginny McMath as Darrin's mom and Brianne Howey as Emily.

"A Christmas Gift" was written by Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter and directed by Blake Evans.

"The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

For more information on "The Middle," visit ABC.com/TheMiddle