The Simpsons Christmas Episode SNEAK PEEK: First Look Pics For 'I Won't Be Home For Christmas' [PICTURES]

The Simpsons Christmas episodes have an amazing tradition — who can forget when Bart melted the Christmas tree and all of the family's presents before hiding them under the snow, or when Grampa Simpson shot down Santa, or last year's guest star Katy Perry appearance — and 2014 looks to be no different. This year's episode is called "I Won't Be Home For Christmas" and we've got some brand new first look sneak peek pics to whet your Simpsons Christmas appetite. Really, Christmas wouldn't be the same without Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.

The Christmas episode will also be written by longtime Simpsons producer/director/writer Al Jean, and will be about "the sad side of Christmas," tweeted the writer.

@87Loco87 Yes, about the sad side of Christmas

— Al Jean (@AlJean) July 21, 2014

The synopsis of the episode explains that this Christmas in Springfield, Homer will be convinced by long-time friend/confidant/creep Moe that he ought to keep drinking on Christmas Eve and needn't go home to his family.

With Homer "out all night drinking" Marge takes a hardline stance and tells Homer to not come home, leading to a "sad, lonely journey" around his hometown, where he's able to reflect and discover that the "one place he should be drunk on Christmas" is home.

And with the trailer for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens causing such a stir this week, Jean also teased a throwback to an older episode, adding that there will be a "Cosmic Wars 1978 Holiday special" — referring to The Simpsons universe's version of George Lucas' franchise — shown during this week's episode. Bonus!

@aruness @thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever Cosmic Wars 1978 Holiday special seen this Sunday on "I Won't Be Home For Christmas!"

— Al Jean (@AlJean) December 2, 2014

He also added that this year's Every Simpsons Ever marathon on FXX and Simpsons World on FXXNow as well as the much ballyhooed crossover episodes with Family Guy and Futurama have delivered a ratings bonanza for the evergreen (terrace) animated show.

.@thesimpsons @everysimpsonsever Check my math but our ratings are up 20% for first six eps of the year. (2.98 v 2.48 18-49) Wow!

— Al Jean (@AlJean) November 14, 2014

The episode will also be the last of 2014, with the series returning with an all-new episode called "The Man Who Came To Be Dinner" — about a theme park called Diz-Nee-Land which takes the family to Rygell VII, home of Kang and Kodos, airing on Jan. 4, 2015.