Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that
children call
Their favorite time of
the year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and
ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to
share
Sleigh bells in the
air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the
fireside
And joyful memories
there
Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could
always see
Such spirit through
the year
Oh, that we could
always see
Such spirit through
the year...
-
Vince
Guaraldi – Lee Mendelson
This song has been a part of my Christmas my whole life –
literally. I was born in 1965 and that was the same year that A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered on
CBS-TV. It is hard to imagine a Christmas in the United States without watching
this beloved broadcast. 50 million people are estimated to have watched it in
1965 and it has retained such ratings through the nearly 50 years since.
At the heart of A
Charlie Brown Christmas is, ironically enough, depression. Young Charlie
Brown finds himself in a deep funk at Christmas time. Even though it is a white
Christmas, even though there are presents, decorations, and all that we’re
taught goes into making Christmas Christmas,
Charlie Brown is not happy. He feels he should be, but can’t quite figure
out why he is not.
Even though Charlie Brown is 7 or 8 years old, he’s an
“every man.” He embodies the feelings of so many at this time of year. It is
sad that so many people are depressed at what is supposed to be a joyous time
of year. It isn’t hard to imagine why, though, is it? The stress and anxiety
caused by difficult economic times, or the sadness of facing a Christmas for
the first time without a loved one, certainly can make Christmas a
less-than-joyful time of year.
If you turn on the TV, you will be bombarded with the
messages that all it takes to make Christmas Christmas will be “stuff.” A new car, new clothes, a bigger and
better TV, cologne, perfume, a computer tablet, or simply money, money, money,
will put you in the proper Christmas mood.
This commercialism is bemoaned of in A Charlie Brown Christmas and, before that, Miracle on 34th Street, and even A Christmas Carol.
Charlie Brown’s beagle, Snoopy, is getting into the
commercial mood of Christmas. Then there is Charlie Brown’s little sister,
Sally. Even his five- or six-year-old sister has been indoctrinated into the
commercialism of Christmas. Even though she can’t write to Santa Claus herself,
she does dictate the letter to her older brother and closes with a plan to make
things easy on Santa, suggesting to him that he simply bring “$10’s and $20’s” as
her Christmas presents!
I don’t have a problem with commerce. Bartering, buying and
selling have been around for nearly as long as there have been people. And the
topic of money is an important topic in the Bible, as it is mentioned over 2000
times (according to the website http://www.biblemoneymatters.com/bible-verses-about-money-what-does-the-bible-have-to-say-about-our-financial-lives/
accessed December, 2012).
Like most things, the problem lies in the mire of
over-indulging in commercialism. Sally has made Christmas all about “getting
all you can get while the getting is good” (actually a quote from the sequel to
A Charlie Brown Christmas called Its Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown).
Snoopy also feels Christmas is another opportunity to win big prizes (by
decorating).
Ironically enough, A
Charlie Brown Christmas, was originally aired with several product
placements by its original sponsor – Coca Cola – which made it difficult to
edit for future airings (resulting in several scenes cut out entirely).
Charlie Brown seeks answers from Lucy – the neighborhood
psychologist. Interestingly enough, Lucy diagnoses Charlie Brown’s problem as
having to do with fear. She tries to find out what Charlie Brown is afraid of.
It seems to me that some people have trouble with Christmas
because they are afraid – afraid of being alone, afraid of unrequited love,
afraid of missing out of the joy they feel should be a part of the season.
These are all understandable fears, to me at least. I feel that way because they
are very real fears.
Lucy’s prescription for Charlie Brown is “involvement” – by
which she means he should direct the Christmas Play. With this suggestion,
Charlie Brown’s cold and fearful heart begins to melt and a genuine smile
appears on his face for the first time.
Still, Charlie Brown hasn’t quite figured out what is
missing. Even though it is clear that the Christmas play is the story of the
Nativity of Jesus Christ (there are shepherds, animals, an innkeeper and his
wife, who has naturally curly hair), something is missing. The kids seem to
know their parts and the parts that go with the story, but all they are
interested in is dancing (having a good time).
Charlie Brown tries to capture the proper mood to get the
play going – by providing a Christmas tree. But upon presenting a real
Christmas tree, his fear comes crashing in on him when all the kids ridicule
him and even his own dog rejects his contribution to the play.
In a final, desperate, act of supplication Charlie Brown
cries out “Isn’t there anyone that can tell me what Christmas is all about?”
Linus chimes in with the true meaning of Christmas. He
recites – from memory – the immortal words of the Gospel:
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 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.” 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, goodwill towards men.”
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
Yes, Christmas includes parties, presents, and poems set to
music. It includes family and friends getting together, special movies and TV
shows, lights and decorations.
But at its heart, Christmas is about alleviating fear. The
fear of being alone, the fear of being rejected, the fear of being forever in
despair.
Because those fears were exactly where the human race was,
and was forever heading, unless God did something about it. And so God promised
He would. And so God did as He promised.
Jesus Christ was born in the little town of Bethlehem. He
grew up to live a perfect life. Then He took all the sins of the world on
Himself and died on the cross. Three days later Jesus rose victorious from the
dead – thus assuring all those who believe in Him would also rise from the dead
one day. And then Jesus ascended into heaven but not before promising that He
would return to take all those who have faith in Him to heaven with Him.
That’s what Christmas – that’s what Christ – is all about.
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