Of all the things I enjoy and look forward to most during the Christmas season is watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It first aired on December 9, 1965 as an animated TV special and has been shown on network television, unless I’m mistaken, every December since. The story came to us from the mind of Cartoonist Charles Schulz and was portrayed through the characters that made up the Peanuts comic strip that appeared daily in newspapers.
The story is very familiar to all of us that grew up in the 1960s and 70s. At that time most people, at least those in the South, still knew enough of the Bible to appreciate the simple but profound message it proclaimed. The storyline focuses on the frustration of Charlie Brown, who is in search of the meaning of Christmas. He can’t understand why he has no joy, because he knows that at this time of year, he is supposed to. So he spends almost the whole half-hour program running here and there trying to find the answer. He tries going to Lucy who, for a fee of course, tries to pinpoint his problem as psychological. He then becomes the director of a Christmas play, thinking involvement might trigger the meaning of it all. Instead, most of the cast just ignores him, and refuses to take the play seriously.
Finally, at the end of his rope, he cries out in sheer frustration, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” And Linus, his shy brother, calmly responds, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” Then, with the spotlight focused on him, Linus recites Luke 2:8-14, in which the answer is provided is verses 10-11 that says, ‘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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Once he finishes, he calmly replies to his frustrated brother, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” Indeed, this is the meaning of Christmas.
While it is, in every way, a delightful and humorous portrayal of just how confusing things can be for children trying to figure life out, it is also a very sad picture of much of the world, and has been for decades. Today it seems that, just like in the story, people know at this time of the year they are supposed to be full of joy but are not, and can’t figure out why. Just like Charlie Brown, they are looking to find it in all the wrong places; in family, gift giving, parties, parades, etc. And when these things don’t provide fulfillment, they are left with an empty feeling, wondering if there is any meaning to life at all.
But just like Charlie Brown, if you want to know where true lasting joy comes from, you must begin by understanding what the “good tidings of great joy” are that the angel spoke about on that very first Christmas night. The news he relayed indeed brings true, lasting joy to all that truly know the baby that was born that day. Do you know him?
If not; please consider joining us this Sunday at Airport Baptist Church as we begin a 4-part series to explain, in detail, who He is, and why knowing Him provides real, indescribable joy and a genuine understanding of what Christmas truly is all about.
For God’s glory and His alone,
Pastor Terry.
