“A Charlie Brown Christmas” turns 60 this year! How can that be? It seems like just yesterday when my family gathered around the TV to watch this favorite, animated classic. For those of us who are older, we remember the time when you had to watch a program at a specific time and day. If you missed it, you would have to wait another year.
I admit, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” wasn’t always my favorite. I preferred the more exciting shows like “Frosty the Snowman” or “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” It was the action and suspense of these stories that hooked me, even after watching them repeatedly every year and knowing that everything turns out alright when the abominable snowman was chasing Rudolph and his friends or when Karen rides on Frosty’s back to escape the evil magician. This isn’t surprising in our world of more exciting technology and algorithms that are designed to keep you looking for the next best thing.
It's only as an adult that I appreciate the essence and heart of this classic show. Charlie Brown’s despair over the commercialization of Christmas and his journey towards discovering the true meaning of Christmas. As we celebrate the 60th year, I found out about the overlooked moment when Linus drops his blanket while he is reciting the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:8-14). Did you notice this when you watched it?
As the angel proclaims to the shepherds to “fear not,” Linus drops the thing that always makes him feel secure and safe. In that moment, he realizes that he can let go of his worldly security, his blanket. The good news of the birth of Jesus, our Savior, allows him to simply drop the false security he has been grasping so tightly and to learn to trust and rely on Jesus instead.
This world can be a scary place and most of us find ourselves grasping onto something temporal to bring us security. It’s hard for us to “fear not.” What are you holding onto that doesn’t allow you the freedom to live fully in Christ’s promises and love? Money? Reliance on someone else? Fear of getting out of your comfort zone? Fear of what others might think of you? Fear of the unknown?
While I still love the idea of a special once-a-year viewing of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the message resonates throughout the year. Amid our insecurities and fear, this classic can be a beautiful reminder to seek true peace and security in the one solid truth, Jesus was born to be our Savior and Light always. This is an exciting story! Keep tuning in!
Christmas peace to you always,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation