Poor Charlie Brown, he’s the epitome of bad luck. Always in search of some kind of hope and life’s greater meaning, he ends up in less than desirable situations with no source of compassion from his friends or canine companion.
Don’t we all feel bad for the blockhead? Do we not, in some way, relate to old Chuck in our lives?
My all-time favorite-as if not concluded by the post-title-is A Charlie Brown Christmas. It starts out with Charlie questioning what Christmas is really all about. Propelled by this void, he goes out in search of the answer.
There is no shortage of holiday traditions along with his hunt from colorful lights, greeting cards, letters to Santa, a tree and the pageant with the whole crew. None of these things, however, seem to resonate with him as “the” meaning for Christmas.
Left wanting and depressed, Charlie takes his issue to the most unpromising source of comfort. Lucy and her psychiatric stand. After his nickel payment, Lucy announces that “involvement” is the answer and elects Charlie as the director of the Christmas play. This for sure would be the answer to his quest.
When Charlie tries to delve deeper into creating meaning for Christmas from the play, Lucy bluntly states, ” We all know that Christmas is just a commercial racket!”
Can’t it be though?
It’s so easy, a habit even, to hit the Christmas road running with our checklist of things to do, buy and experience. Decorating the home, shopping for gifts, wrapping those gifts, sending cards, planning parties, attending plays, going to church, making an appearance at holiday functions, and the list goes on.
These are such fun and wonderful things about Christmas. These things make the season so full of “cheer” and nostalgia, but if we let it, they can fury us into becoming one big commercial racket.
Maybe you’re there. Maybe you’re having fun but there is a part of you within that resonates with Charlie Brown’s exasperated cry,
“Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
And then, Linus takes center stage, drops his beloved security blanket and speaks,
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:8-14
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 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, goodwill toward men.”
“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown”.
He exits the stage and just like that, the Christmas play was completed and we found out the meaning of Christmas.
Joy, Jesus. Hope, Peace, and Love.
May we all have a Charlie Brown Christmas this year.
BY TECHIE MAMMA