High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace" is the tenth episode of The Simpsons` ninth season and originally aired on the Fox network on December 21, 1997. Bart ruins Christmas for the Simpson family by burning down the tree and all their presents. It was written by Ron Hauge, directed by Bob Anderson and guest starred Alex Trebek as himself. Ron Hauge was inspired to write the episode after learning of an orphanage that had been ripped off. The episode was selected among other Christmas-themed episodes of the series, on a 2005 Christmas special DVD boxed set. I Can`t Believe It`s a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide criticized the episode as a rehash of older themes, but it was also described as one of The Simpsons’ more memorable episodes in a review of the 2005 DVD boxed set release.