The Meaning of Christmas


"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 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.' 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.'" — Linus, "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

The most beautiful moment in any Christmas movie comes near the end of a 25-minute cartoon special created in 1965. I'm speaking, of course, of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." I've said it before, but for me it isn't Christmas without a viewing of this special.

This past Sunday, when talking about Joy, we looked at the passage that lies at the heart of the most beautiful scene in Christmas films and specials, the sequence quoted above. I always try to think about what it would have been like for those Shepherds, often the least of those in the land, to have heard this "good news of great joy." I think it would have been a joy for them as it should be for us today.

It is the heart of our faith, and the reason for the season. But sometimes I think we forget that. What I love about "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is the joy of that sequence. Charlie Brown is low. He is fed up with the commercialism of Christmas, with the stress he feels about the season, and with the lack of Christmas spirit. In his low moment, he screams out, "Can't anyone tell me what Christmas is all about?"

Then Linus, the quiet confidant of Charlie, quotes from Luke, finishing by telling Charlie that's what Christmas is all about. That lifts Charlie's spirits. He finds joy in the truth of Scripture and the meaning of the season. His Christmas is restored, and it has nothing to do with presents, decorations, and the commercial trappings of this holiday.

What I also find incredible is that this profession of faith comes in a secular cartoon that airs on TV every year. What an impact God has made through Charles Schultz and a cadre of cartoon kids. It was moving then and, though I've seen it many times over many years, it's still meaningful today.

May you find the heart of Christmas in that same "good news of great joy" this year!

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