“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
There are a few of our Christmas specials and movies that actually mention the story of the birth of Jesus. In the classic special starring Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang we find our hero struggling with the commercialization of the holiday. He searches for the answer of what the true meaning of Christmas is. His friend Lucy points out that they need a director for the annual Christmas pageant at the school and encourages Charlie Brown to step up to the task.
The story walks us through Charlie’s frustrations in his search and the lack of help he receives from his friends, who all seem to be distracted by the glitter and glam of the season. He is sent to get a tree for the play and decides, in a last attempt to “save Christmas”, to get a live one though it is pretty sparse. This brings criticism…laughter from his friends…and he leaves the group in defeated humiliation. Not a very Merry Christmas. But…spoiler alert…consistent with our formula…there is a moment of transformation! However, in this movie…it is the presentation of the true story of Christmas…the story of Jesus!
Seeing Charlie Brown’s defeat Linus quotes the Scriptural account of the first Christmas. After hearing this the group decides that all the small struggling tree needs (and Charlie Brown) is just a little loving care. With the new perspective relationships are restored and they gather together to sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the lights and glitter of Christmas for sure, but we must be intentional in keeping the message of Jesus at the center of it all. He truly is the “reason for the season”. I would challenge you to read the story from the Bible several times during the remainder of this Advent season. It will add joy, purpose, and perspective to everything you do this Christmas! Here is just a taste:
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.'” (Luke 2:8-12).
Merry Christmas!