My lovely wife and I have had an ongoing debate in recent weeks concerning the quality of the Charlie Brown holiday specials. Due to an act of what some might call chance, I stumbled upon the Peanuts Holiday Collection box set. This trilogy includes the classics: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. My lovely bride contends that these classic cartoons are “boring” and borderline unwatchable. I, on the other hand, believe them to be must-see holiday TV. This is particularly true of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
While many movies, particularly cartoons, age rather poorly over the years, the messaging of A Charlie Brown Christmas is still amazingly relevant more than a half a century after its original release. The film addresses the struggle of feelings of sadness in a season defined by joy. It reveals the reality of isolation amidst a time of togetherness. Over and over, the film lampoons the spirit of commercialism that obscured the true meaning of Christmas. All of these are issues we continue to deal with today.
The seminal moment of the movie comes when Charlie calls out in despair, “ISN’T THERE ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT?!” The blanket toting Linus then steps to center stage and recites the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2:8-14, walks off stage and tells Charlie, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” It’s an amazing mic drop moment, truly iconic.
Charlie then takes his sad little Christmas tree home where he is once again confronted by feelings of disappointment, depression, and dejection. But, before he has a chance to settle into his sadness, his freshly inspired friends, following Linus’s lead, break out in song heralding the coming of the Christ.
Perhaps we ourselves sometimes serve as angels and are unaware.
It struck me this morning that what Charles M. Shultz created was not just a timeless piece of cultural commentary. Nor was it just a retelling of the Christmas story. In part, it was a recreation of the very scene Linus describes. Linus serves as the angel of the Lord. He breaks into the darkness and issues the initial announcement to those who would search for the Christ of Christmas. Then, he is joined by a great company, who join him in declaring the good news of great joy for all people.
Hebrews 13:2 tells us that it is possible to have interactions with angels of which we are unaware. Perhaps we ourselves sometimes serve as angels and are unaware. No, we don’t transform into heavenly beings of light, but we can, and should, serve as messengers of God’s good Word. At its core, is this not what an angel is?
May we all seek the Savior during this season and may we serve as members of the angelic choir, announcing the good news of great joy to a watching and waiting world.
I must admit, my wife is more discerning than I when it comes to holiday movies; I love them all. But, even she would agree that A Charlie Brown Christmas, while not the most engaging movie ever made, communicates some of the most important truths ever told. It heralds for us the hope of the world, the true reason for the season; Christ the Savior is born! May we all seek the Savior during this season and may we serve as members of the angelic choir, announcing the good news of great joy to a watching and waiting world.
