The Force has awakened with a vengeance.

For the first time in 10 years, a new Star Wars movie will open in theaters — on Friday, Dec. 18, to be exact.

(If you’re a prequel denier, you might say it’s the first new Star Wars movie in 32 years.)

In this age of social media and relentless Internet coverage, the impending arrival of “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens” has provoked obsession, curiosity and controversy, the likes of which have never been seen before.

Everyone has watched the trailers. Footage has been analyzed and reanalyzed and given rise to theories and speculation.

It’s difficult to get through a conversation without talk turning to the absence of Luke in the trailers — Is he dead? Is he the bad guy? What’s up with that robot hand? — or whose children Rey, Finn or Poe could be.

Everyone has fallen madly in love with a rotund little droid named BB-8.

You can’t set foot into a store without being confronted by shelves of plastic lightsabers, Kylo Ren action figures, and T-shirts. Oh, the humanity — the T-shirts!

In other words, it’s a wonderful time to be alive if you happen to be a Star Wars fan. Maybe the most wonderful time in all of history.

In celebration, we’re launching a month-long countdown to the theatrical debut of “The Force Awakens.” Beginning tomorrow, new Star Wars-related content will be featured on this blog almost every day.

We’ll have essays by fans about what the franchise means to them, stories examining the actors and filmmakers behind Disney’s ambitious new plans for George Lucas’ sci-fi universe, and photographic trips down memory lane.

You’ll also find links to some of our favorite Star Wars stuff online, as well as lifestyle features, including Christmas gift guides, essential swag for midnight screenings, and other helpful tips to make the month-long wait a little easier to bear.

This experiment in Lucasfilm love wouldn’t be possible without the many fascinating writers and Star Wars junkies who contributed their talents, words and memories.

We’re hoping this little tribute to “The Force Awakens” sparks lively discussion and participation, so please comment, post, share. Chime in enthusiastically and often with your feedback, ideas and thoughts.

The Force is calling to us and we’re gonna let it in.