← Season 17
THE SIMPSONS · SEASON 17 · EPISODE 9

The Simpsons S17E09 Simpsons Christmas Stories

★ 8.5 · ESSENTIAL Dec 18, 2005 30 MIN FOX
Still from The Simpsons S17E09: Simpsons Christmas Stories

The episode in brief

The Simpsons deliver holiday cheer in this Christmas-themed trilogy. In The First -El, - when Reverend Lovejoy's car breaks down en route to Christmas mass, Homer takes over the sermon and delivers his version of the birth of Christ to his parents Joseph and Mary. - I Saw Grampa Cussing Santa Claus - finds Grampa reminiscing about his daredevil days as a WWII fighter pilot, when he was stranded on an island alongside his gunner, Burns. Grampa recalls mistaking Santa Claus for an enemy aircraft and gunning him down from the sky. Realizing their mistake, Grampa helps Jolly Ol' St. Nick to safety, only to have Burns steal the sleigh and escape the island - leaving Grampa stranded again. The final installment, -The Nutcracker - Sweet,- which finds the townspeople of Springfield preparing for Christmas Day, is set to the tune of the famed Nutcracker ballet.

FAN DESK VERDICT An all-timer. This is the episode you show someone to explain why The Simpsons matters — clear the evening and watch it properly.

Snapshots

2 STILLs
STILLS VIA TMDB

Who’s in it

SERIES REGULARS

Behind the camera

DIRECTED BY Steven Dean Moore
WRITTEN BY Don Payne

Where it sits in the season

TAP A BAR TO JUMP

Where to watch S17E09

US · NOVEMBER 2026
AVAILABILITY IS FOR THE SHOW; NOT EVERY SERVICE CARRIES EVERY EPISODE · LINKS MAY EARN US POPCORN MONEY
8.5
THE FAN VERDICT
Canon. Required viewing for the fan card.

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S17E09 FAQ

When did The Simpsons S17E09 air?

The Simpsons S17E09 (“Simpsons Christmas Stories”) first aired on December 18, 2005.

Where can I watch The Simpsons S17E09?

In the US, The Simpsons season 17 — including this episode — is available on FX, Hulu, Disney+, fuboTV, DirecTV On Demand, Spectrum On Demand, YouTube TV, FOX One Amazon Channel, Hulu on Disney+, Amazon, Fandango at Home, and AppleTV.

Who directed and wrote The Simpsons S17E09?

The Simpsons S17E09 (“Simpsons Christmas Stories”) was directed by Steven Dean Moore and written by Don Payne.

Is The Simpsons S17E09 a good episode?

Fans rate The Simpsons S17E09 (“Simpsons Christmas Stories”) 8.5/10, which puts it in the essential tier for The Simpsons.