WORTH NOTING ON TV

* SUNDAY

Holiday at Pops (A&E, 8-10 p.m. EST): The classic sounds of the Boston Pops Orchestra, under the baton of Keith Lockhart, waft from Boston's Symphony Hall. Adding to the festivities are the Manhattan Transfer, baritone Jubilant Sykes, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus for holiday favorites such as ''It Came Upon a Midnight Clear'' and ''Away in a Manger.''

The Christmas Box (CBS, 9-11 p.m.): Richard Paul Evans's touching story, which is currently listed No. 1 by Publishers Weekly for hardcover fiction, comes to the small screen. Maureen O'Hara (''Miracle on 34th Street'') stars as Mary, an elderly woman who, in need of assistance, takes a family into her home. At first the father of the family (Richard Thomas) is preoccupied with a business venture, but a Christmas box filled with love letters, written by Mary years before, sheds light on the meaning of Christmas.

* MONDAY

Shining Time Station Family Special (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): This new episode of the children's show finds members of the royal family stranded at Shining Time Station - and Mr. Conductor (George Carlin) and his friends learning it's important to be yourself. Jeannette Charles plays one of the royals.

* TUESDAY

Nova (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): ''Buckyballs'' may not sound like a very intelligent word, but it's actually a nickname for ''Buckminsterfullerene'' - a third form of carbon that was discovered in 1985. Its molecules are shaped like soccer balls. This program looks at how Buckyballs are revolutionizing chemistry and hold promise for a multitude of technological applications.

Frasier (NBC, 9-9:30 p.m.): Just before his son flies in for Christmas, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) learns that his gift of educational toys has been delayed in shipment. There's no choice but for Frasier and his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) to venture into the great unknown: a shopping mall.

Please check local listings for these programs.