A Charlie Brown Christmas

“For behold, I bring unto 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 Savior, 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.” -Linus VanPelt quoting scripture at the end of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

It has become a yearly tradition for my family to watch all the Christmas specials. Quite frankly, I can still remember the special intro CBS did before the beginning of each Christmas special. My favorite Christmas special is and was A Charlie Brown Christmas. The funny thing is, when I was watching it as a kid, it was already considered an older special.

Things have really changed today. Instead of that one night a year to watch the special, we can stream it anytime we want. Watching the special today isn’t an appointment viewing. The animation is primitive (just ask my kids). Even with that being said, it still doesn’t seem like Christmas without watching A Charlie Brown Christmas special at least once.

This year, there are a lot of things that will not seem like the Christmas season. We are socially distancing from each other. Our family squabbles are going to be over Zoom instead of at the table. We are being responsible and not caroling and swapping Christmas cookies during the Deacon’s cookie walk. Christmas shopping is nonexistent. We grieve for the empty seats during the holiday. Christmas Eve service will be online this year not in our candle lit sanctuary.

With these changes, we question where our Christmas spirit is this year. We wonder out loud, what does this season mean? We asked ourselves is Christmas really worth it this year?

Well, Linus reminds us why Christmas is worth it. The above quote happens when Charlie Brown reaches an impasse with the existence or lack of his Christmas Spirit. That quote from the Bible reminds us that this season is about hope, joy, peace and love. That despite the happenings in today’s world, God is still in charge. I am grateful that during this season, Linus reminds me that this season is about the gift of love that God has given us.

It is my and my family’s hope that everyone has a peaceful, hopeful and joyous Christmas time. Because of the Christ Child, there are better days ahead.

God bless and Merry Christmas!

Doyll