A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas

In the classic movie, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown, unlike all his friends who are enjoying the festivities of the season, is depressed and cannot understand why. To help cheer his spirits, Lucy invites him to be the director of the Christmas play. Unfortunately, this only frustrates Charlie even more. Charlie is wanting to picture the heart of Christmas as all the various elements of modern-day Christmas, from shepherds to lights and even a big pink Christmas tree, are brought onto the stage. Charlie Brown cannot take anymore, and cries out in frustration, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”.

I do love the many cultural elements to Christmas. I enjoy putting the Christmas tree up each year and working out whose turn it is to put the star on the top. I enjoy going into the city and taking in all the sights and sounds. And I especially enjoy the fruit mince tarts with my coffee. But I have found that, unless we are careful, the busyness and cultural noise of Christmas can quickly overshadow and drown out its awesome truth: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen the glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

It took Linus, the baby of the group who always sucks his thumb and never speaks a word, to come to the centre of the stage and quote Luke 2:8-14, before turning back to Charlie Brown, saying, “This is what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” By quoting these verses Linus rightly told Charlie Brown that Christmas is about a Saviour, a King, who came in humility and lowliness to bring peace on earth. Much later in His life, that Saviour and King, the Lord Jesus, hours before He was crucified, said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). From start to finish, Jesus came to bring us peace. But not a fleeting peace the world might give. Rather a peace through a right relationship with God that surpasses all understanding, especially amid persecution and tribulation (John 15:18-19; 16:33). This is profound!

May all things be put in their proper place this Christmas, that you might have time to consider and reflect upon the great truth that Christ not only brought peace but is our peace. May you rest in His love and care and protection during this time and experience the peace of the one who has overcome the world. Every blessing in Christ to you and your family this Christmas.