A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of my all-time favorite Christmas shows. It is a must-see for me each season. It always reminds me what Christmas should be about.
The website Everything2 explains what Charles Shulz, the creator of Peanuts, intended to express through his characters in A Charlie Brown Christmas.
“The plot and theme of A Charlie Brown Christmas were the result of Schulz’s devout Christianity. Thus, Charlie Brown’s search for meaning in the middle of Christmas commercialism didn’t result in him learning about ‘friends and family,’ or ”tis better to give than to receive’; no, he learned that Christmas was a celebration of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Schulz demonstrates, through the character of Sally Brown, the commercial side of the holiday. She truly has a consumer’s understanding of the season. Sally is simply concerned about getting what she thinks she deserves. Giving is no longer the main consideration in her mind; the more important thing is getting. She doesn’t even miss a beat when Charlie Brown says that he doesn’t have much time.
SALLY BROWN: I’ve been looking for you, big brother. Will you please write a letter to Santa Claus for me?
CHARLIE BROWN: Well, I don’t have much time. I’m supposed to get down to the school auditorium and direct a Christmas play.
SALLY: You write it, and I’ll tell you what I want to say.
CHARLIE BROWN: Okay, shoot.
SALLY: Dear Santa Claus — How have you been? How is your wife? I have been extra good this year. That’s why I have a long list of presents that I want.
CHARLIE BROWN: Oh, brother.
SALLY: Please note the size and color of each item and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself — just send money. How about tens and twenties?
CHARLIE BROWN: Tens and twenties? Oh! Even my baby sister!
SALLY: All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share.
And then there is Linus with his ever-present security blanket. Schulz explains the simple truth of the holiday — the celebration of our Saviour’s birth — through the voice of a young, insecure child who recites the words of the second chapter of the Book of Luke.
It is a scene which still sends chills through me everytime I see it.
[IN THE AUDITORIUM, CHARLIE BROWN AND LINUS ARE STAGE RIGHT, AND THE REST OF THE PEANUTS GANG ARE STAGE LEFT]
CHARLIE BROWN: I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about. [SHOUTS] Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?
LINUS: Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. [WALKS TO CENTER STAGE] Lights please.
[LIGHTS GO DOWN, SPOTLIGHT ON LINUS]
LINUS: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
[LIGHTS COME BACK UP AS LINUS WALKS BACK]
That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
One final thought about the meaning of Christmas:
According to the Internet Movie Database: “During his famed speech, Linus, who is well-known to be dependent on his security blanket, actually lets go of it when he recites these words: ‘Fear not! For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.’”
Here’s to letting go of security blankets this Christmas. Here’s to celebrating a Saviour born unto us! Amen.