Come late December, televisions are practically filled to bursting with Christmas specials on any number of channels. But something that I don’t see getting the love it deserves is “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” the very first full-length episode of The Simpsons.

The show had other Christmas themed episodes, but this is the one that deserves your attention. Those others, sure they’re great Christmas episodes. But this one plays like a bona fide CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (as its on-screen title, The Simpsons Christmas Special, would suggest).

It’s the episode where Homer doesn’t get his Christmas bonus, the other Christmas money has to be spent getting Bart’s tattoo removed (Ow! Quit it!), and Homer has to take a job as a mall Santa to make ends meet. The episode ultimately culminates with Homer empty-handed on Christmas Eve with no presents for anybody…until circumstances align themselves just right to leave him and his family with a new dog named Santa’s Little Helper, a cute puppy who will join the family to love and be loved and share in the joy of Christmas.

Whatever ineffable qualities are needed to make a classic Christmas special, this toon has them. Lessons are learned about family togetherness and love and all that great stuff and there are plenty of jokes along the way. It’s heartwarming and wonderful and it deserves—especially when one considers what a huge part of the pop-culture landscape The Simpsons has become—to stand alongside Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas as an indispensible holiday tradition.

But it isn’t seen that way at all. Where’s the love for this awesome cartoon? I’m calling on all of you to give it the respect and admiration that it deserves. “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” is a true modern classic. Why doesn’t Fox give it a special prime time airing? They should, dammit! The whole family should gather round to hear Homer say “Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Nixon, Comet, Cupid, Donna Dixon” just as they do to hear Frosty say “Happy birthday.”

I won’t rest until this episode of The Simpsons is universally recognized as the package of yuletide excellence that it is.

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