Help me remember this animated Christmas story

[CrusaderX]

I vaguely recall watching a certain animated syndicated Christmas special back in the late 1970's or early 80's, which I'm trying to remember in more detail. The story featured a kid and (I think) his live pet turkey, and I remember a scene where a gang of bully-type kids threatened to eat the turkey, with one of them pulling out a switchblade-like knife to carve it up. In the end, these tall, strange aliens came down from space (in a ship that looked like a Christmas tree, maybe?) and spoke of the true meaning of the holiday, or something of the sort.

For some reason, I'm also thinking that this was anime. But it wasn't a series or anything, it was just a one-shot special.

Does anyone remember anything like this from their childhood? Or did I just sip on some bad eggnog that year?

 

[Qlippoth]

I vaguely recall watching a certain animated syndicated Christmas special back in the late 1970's or early 80's, which I'm trying to remember in more detail. The story featured a kid and (I think) his live pet turkey, and I remember a scene where a gang of bully-type kids threatened to eat the turkey, with one of them pulling out a switchblade-like knife to carve it up. In the end, these tall, strange aliens came down from space (in a ship that looked like a Christmas tree, maybe?) and spoke of the true meaning of the holiday, or something of the sort.

For some reason, I'm also thinking that this was anime. But it wasn't a series or anything, it was just a one-shot special.

Does anyone remember anything like this from their childhood? Or did I just sip on some bad eggnog that year?

Was the "knife" really one of those (oh-so-evil-back-then) switchblade combs?
I'm also remembering one of the aliens repeatedly saying, "I am fine."

Wait...is it this?
Either that or somebody get me another carton of that same nog.

 

[Dagger75]

The only show I remeber with a pet turkey was Timmy in that South Park episode.

 

[CrusaderX]

Wait...is it this?

Yes, I think that's it!

A small town is immersed in holiday season festivities. A small boy named Peter and Lucy, his pet goose, are suddenly confronted by three aliens (wise men) investigating the real meaning of Christmas. For 2,000 years the alien visitors have been searching the universe for the significance of a brilliant star. Peter realizes that it is the Star of Bethlehem, and he and Lucy lead the way. It's a difficult journey, but it changes the town as it (along with the travelers) discovers the meaning of Christmas. Young and old, rich and poor participate in the rediscovery of the meaning of Christmas, which the space visitors carry away with them.

So it was a goose instead of a turkey. Close enough.

This cartoon was a breakthrough project for Nelvana. It caught the attention of George Lucas, who was looking for a company to produce a 10-minute animated segment for the Star Wars Holiday Special, which he was producing. He happened to tune in one day when A Cosmic Christmas was on the air. On the basis of this cartoon, Lucas chose Nelvana for the Star Wars Holiday Special (which aired in 1978) and continued to work with the Canadian studio throughout the 1980s.

Cool, a Star Wars tie-in!

And it was from Canada, not Japan. Close enough.

Thanks for the find! I now know I'm not (completely) crazy.

 

[devilish]

Syncronicity

Coincidence!

Over here is a discussion on a holiday animated show -- the original Star Wars Holiday special

which ties into this thread because on the link above is the following:

This cartoon was a breakthrough project for Nelvana. It caught the attention of George Lucas, who was looking for a company to produce a 10-minute animated segment for the Star Wars Holiday Special, which he was producing. He happened to tune in one day when A Cosmic Christmas was on the air. On the basis of this cartoon, Lucas chose Nelvana for the Star Wars Holiday Special (which aired in 1978) and continued to work with the Canadian studio throughout the 1980s.