A Charlie Brown Christmas. It is an absolute classic when it comes to Christmas movies, especially if you are part of Generation X.
It evokes memories of times gone by when there was a special feeling of joy, happiness, excitement, and general childhood wonder during the holiday season.
This wonderfully animated cartoon first debuted as a TV special in 1965 and featured Charlie Brown as a little boy who finds himself depressed despite it being the Christmas season. Even though he loves Christmas, he admits that he does not know the true meaning of Christmas. So, when he is asked to direct the local Christmas play, he agrees.
However, more involvement in the decoration and celebration does not make Charlie Brown happier. In fact, it does the exact opposite.
Seeing how commercialized Christmas has become, he is now even more depressed. Thinking that the play needs a “proper mood,” Charlie decides to get a Christmas tree. But the only real tree that he could find was a tiny, wilted sapling.
Believing that some added decoration will make it look more like a Christmas tree, Charlie brings it to the stage. When his friends see the little tree, they begin to make fun of it. A very frustrated Charlie eventually asks, “Does anyone know the true meaning of Christmas?”
I can certainly relate to the feeling and frustration that Charlie had. I look around today and see how Christmas has become so materialistic. I see how gifts have become more important than the giver. And, how the pressure to buy, buy, buy, overshadows the real reason that we should be celebrating.
My favorite part of A Charlie Brown Christmas is when Linus begins to recite the scripture that details the account of Jesus' birth.
The spotlight shines on him as he stands center stage. There is no music, no props, or decoration. Just a little boy, who tells the story of Jesus’ birth, straight from his heart.
When he is done, he tells Charlie, “That is what Christmas is all about.”
When a smile begins to spread across Charlie’s face, you know that he has finally understood that a grand tree, adorned in the finest ornaments, wouldn't make Christmas more joyful, because that isn't where joy is found.
Not on a tree nor under it, but in the birth of a savior that would one day be crucified on a tree so that the sins of the world could be atoned for.
The joy of Christmas is rejoicing in the birth of a Savior who would make a way for us to have eternal life.
There is no gift greater than that.
There is no greater joy than that.
The angel that appeared before Mary told her that “He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.”
May it be so that you and I are who that angel was speaking of! May we be the ones who focus on the real reason to celebrate.
And may we give the gift of sharing the “good news” with others so that they may receive the greatest gift as well.
Jesus is the most valuable gift that we will ever give, and the most valuable gift that anyone will ever receive.
May Jesus be “…a joy and delight to you” this Christmas season, and may you “…rejoice because of his birth.” (Luke 1:14)
- Dawn Hayes is a mother of four, grandmother of three and she and her husband pastor at New Hope Assembly of God in Senatobia. She has been writing "Sips from the Well" since 2015.
