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In the classic scene from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Linus takes center stage and delivers a most eloquent defense of the true meaning of Christmas.
Reciting from Luke’s gospel, chapter 2, verses 8 to 14, Linus reminds the Peanuts gang, and all of us, what Christmas is all about.
“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 and goodwill towards men.”
“…That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
If Charles Schulz were ever to have re-visited that scene, I would have loved to see Linus carry on by quoting the New Testament passage that, I believe, tells us how Jesus’ birth should impact our lives today, and every day…
“Lights please…
‘This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, since God so loves us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.’ (1 John 4: 9-12)
And THAT’S what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
Merry Christmas to all.
