Almost
everyone is familiar with the classic seasonal program, "A Charlie Brown
Christmas". The beloved animated show has been a favorite seemingly forever
and never seems to get old despite its age. This year marks the 50th
anniversary since Charles Schultz’s adorable characters entered the homes of
millions across the land. I’m trying to
think if a holiday ever went by that I did not see at least some portion of
the program since its inception?
But
those who know it well recall the theme as being quite basic – and yet very profound.
Sad little Charlie Brown is struggling at Christmas time. He is frustrated and
depressed that Christmas is seemingly but one big commercial venture and cannot
quite grasp what it is all about. This
plot makes for an entertaining show, but it also reveals how so many really do feel
over the holidays. I did a quick search online and typed in the phrase "depression at Christmas". These were just a few the top article titles that appeared. And
some of these were from significant sources like CNN, Psychology Today, WebMD and Huffington Post.
Christmas Depression - Does Christmas Get You Down?
Why People Get Depressed at Christmas
Coping with Depression During the Holidays
Hurting Over the Holidays...Christmas Depression or Joy?
6 causes of Christmas stress and depression
A depressive's guide to Christmas
Holiday Depression: Statistics & How to Deal
Fictitious Charlie Brown felt like millions of real people today who may be down around Christmas. And who can forget when his level of frustration came to a head on the small stage where he was trying to direct a rather distracted and oblivious cast of child actors and musicians? It is then that he loses control and yells out his painful and famous question. "Does anyone really know what Christmas is all about?"
And in response, little Linus positions himself alone on the stage, calls for a spotlight, and calmly quotes from Luke 2:8-14:
"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."
Linus then ends his memorized quotation of Scripture by telling his friend, and much of the world now for some 50 years, “That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
America has come a long way in just one half century. Much of it is good, and some of it is not. On the negative side of the ledger is a huge and growing lack of Biblical knowledge and spiritual grounding. Some call modern America a post-Christian nation, and with good reason! And if culture back in the time when "A Charlie Brown Christmas" entered the scene needed to hear the news about the Savior’s birth, then how much more is that message needed today?
Yes, this short passage of Scripture, which the sponsors wanted removed because it was too religious, shares the true meaning of Christmas. It is about a Savior and the message of redemption for a lost and hurting world. And that why my favorite seasonal song is titled "Just a Cradle in the Shadow of a Cross". Christ came and lived in order to die! As Mark 10:45 puts it, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Happy anniversary, Charlie Brown. Thank you, and thank you Linus, for showing the masses the significance and priority of the incarnation. And thank you Jesus for coming to into a sin-cursed world so long ago in order to be Immanuel – God with us!
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Bill Breckenridge
Christmas Depression - Does Christmas Get You Down?
Why People Get Depressed at Christmas
Coping with Depression During the Holidays
Hurting Over the Holidays...Christmas Depression or Joy?
6 causes of Christmas stress and depression
A depressive's guide to Christmas
Holiday Depression: Statistics & How to Deal
Fictitious Charlie Brown felt like millions of real people today who may be down around Christmas. And who can forget when his level of frustration came to a head on the small stage where he was trying to direct a rather distracted and oblivious cast of child actors and musicians? It is then that he loses control and yells out his painful and famous question. "Does anyone really know what Christmas is all about?"
And in response, little Linus positions himself alone on the stage, calls for a spotlight, and calmly quotes from Luke 2:8-14:
"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."
Linus then ends his memorized quotation of Scripture by telling his friend, and much of the world now for some 50 years, “That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
America has come a long way in just one half century. Much of it is good, and some of it is not. On the negative side of the ledger is a huge and growing lack of Biblical knowledge and spiritual grounding. Some call modern America a post-Christian nation, and with good reason! And if culture back in the time when "A Charlie Brown Christmas" entered the scene needed to hear the news about the Savior’s birth, then how much more is that message needed today?
Yes, this short passage of Scripture, which the sponsors wanted removed because it was too religious, shares the true meaning of Christmas. It is about a Savior and the message of redemption for a lost and hurting world. And that why my favorite seasonal song is titled "Just a Cradle in the Shadow of a Cross". Christ came and lived in order to die! As Mark 10:45 puts it, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Happy anniversary, Charlie Brown. Thank you, and thank you Linus, for showing the masses the significance and priority of the incarnation. And thank you Jesus for coming to into a sin-cursed world so long ago in order to be Immanuel – God with us!
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Bill Breckenridge
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