Maybe it's because the main character's name is Peter. Or because the aliens look impressive (even now). Or maybe it's the pet goose...

Anyway, in 1977 Space Christmas -- the first cartoon from the longtime Canadian animation powerhouse Nelvana -- has been my cozy December pastime ever since I rediscovered it via online streaming.This year, it's only available to watch for free on Tubi.

Unlike today's pixel-perfect and polished animation, Space Christmas Drawings is a retro delight; it looks like a mash-up of Mad Magazine's Don Martin and classic animator Ralph Bakshi.Space Christmas isn't as edgy as Dr. Katz or Home Movies, but there's a hand-drawn chaos that doesn't seem to exist in modern cartoons anymore.

A Space Christmas follows a young pet goose named Peter as he discovers three mysterious aliens who have landed their spaceship on the outskirts of a town preparing for Christmas 2000 years ago, an extraterrestrial saw a new star in the sky and came to the planet to learn the true meaning of the holiday.

Peter's grandmother, a gang of colorful teenage delinquents, and Lucy the goose drive the holiday plot to a thrilling climax that shouldn't be too scary for kids of any age, and a heart-warming resolution.

Clocking in at a brisk 24 minutes, Space Christmas wastes a bit of time on weird musical interludes, including a weird dance number with Lucy and an alien flying robot sidekick, but the main action keeps the story moving toward a satisfying conclusion.

When first meeting the aliens, Peter explains the "Star of Bethlehem" and mentions Jesus Christ, but Cosmic Christmas approaches the holiday mainly from a secular perspective. The true meaning of Christmas, according to Peter, is "love, peace and caring for others".

If you like quirky retro animation or are looking for something a little different to watch with the kids this holiday season, check out Cosmic Christmas while it's free on Tubi.

To learn more how to use secret Netflix codes to find a wider range of holiday movies and shows.