What is Christmas All About for You?

CBS network, on December 9, 1965, premiered an animated special entitle A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Many of you would agree that the pivotal point started in the show on the stage at school when all of the characters began to laugh and ridicule Charlie Brown about his pathetic Christmas tree.  Charlie Brown began to chastise himself about not doing anything right such as his choice of a Christmas tree.  In his frustration, Charlie Brown throws up his hands and yells :Isn’t there anyone who know what Christmas is all about?” At this time in the show, Linus is near Charlie Brown listening to him. Linus stood there on stage with Charlie Brown, holding his blue blanket and sucking his thumb and replied, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas was all about”.  Linus appears to be transformed from a small child, still enjoying a blanket and his thumb to a determined and intentional character, moving to center stage and asking for lights.  Linus began to quote Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)
 
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 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.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

At the point of the scripture passage when Linus quoted in Verse 10 “Fear not…” he drops his blanket and finishes the scripture passage with what appears to be in full confidence, pushing through with no fear. At the conclusion of passage, Linus picks up his blue blanket, approaches Charlie Brown and says “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown”.  Charlie Brown begins to smile, walks over to the puny little Christmas tree, picks it up and walks off, later decorating it with passion.

When this show aired in 1965, I was 6 years old.  I became endeared to the show and Linus’ voice, even to this day sounds loud and clear in my mind the true reason for Christmas.  As we gather with our children every year, reading the Christmas story has been a central part of Christmas Eve.  We have had our challenges of getting through it when our children were small and now with grandchildren.  But as our children did and now with our grandchildren, the bible is passed around, usually starting with the older three grandchildren and then passed onto the next four younger readers to read and proclaim the birth of Christ.  We have seven grandchildren who actively participate in reading “What Christmas is all about” to our entire family. Just as Linus proclaimed the meaning in that little Christmas show, our little voices are now proclaiming the birth our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The grandchildren are always so excited to read and willing to accept some help with some of those big words to get through their verses to read. Does it take time to read? Yes.  Is there usually someone walking around, crying, dancing a jig, picking their nose, snacking on some treat, and some thinking “Didn’t we just hear this at church a few hours ago?” Yes. But it is important to US! This is the time that we “center” ourselves to “What Christmas is all about to us.” I am fairly sure we give the reason of the passage reading but this year, I am going to be intentional to make sure all of those little ears and eyes know the “why” the Bible is passed around and the grands are reading to the adults.  We need to remember the eternal reason for the season.  Can I just share that all seven of those grandchildren who participate in the reading of the passages have prayed with their mom/dad or us in giving their life to Jesus Christ as their Savior!  That’s a hallelujah praise.
 
Whatever are your Christmas traditions, ask yourself “What is Christmas all about for your family”.   You too may find a deep joy and contentment in celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ...because Easter is coming!
 
Merry Christmas to All
Karen