What Christmas is All About
Our youngest son has two favorite shows to watch and one of them is Charlie Brown’s Christmas. (The other is Paw Patrol.) We have watched it so much that I have memorized many of the lines. Do you recall this scene?
“Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Charlie Brown exclaims. He has just messed up big time by getting a puny tree for the Christmas pageant and is frustrated by the commercialism of the season.
Linus plucks his thumb from his mouth so he can raise his pointer finger in the air and says, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.”
He walks to the center of the stage with his “trusty” blue blanky dragging along with him. “Lights, please?” The spotlight illuminates Linus and he begins his monologue:
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.
Charles Schulz, who wrote the Christmas special, insisted on the inclusion of scripture even though many told him doing so would make the movie flop. Network executives wanted to cut the religious aspects, but Schulz stayed firm on the decision to include them. There are also intentional but subtle lessons he included like when Linus moves to the center stage. This was Schulz’s way of saying, faith should take center stage at Christmas. And at the moment Linus says, “Fear not,” he drops his security blanket symbolizing letting go of worldly anxieties for true peace found in Christ. This, I learned, was done on purpose by Schulz.
There are many things Christmas can be about. For some, it’s Santa Claus and presents. For others its about family and togetherness. For others still, it doesn’t mean much of anything because it isn’t a part of their culture or upbringing. But for the believer, the decorations, the traditions, the gifts and activities take on new meaning because of our faith in Christ. Conversely, without Christ there is no satisfaction at Christmas or any time in life. If we choose to cut Jesus out of the scene at Christmas, what is left is a commercial holiday that reeks of greed, and shines a spotlight on our loneliness and suffering. As Charlie Brown would say, “I think there must be something wrong with me Linus, Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy…I like getting presents, and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.”
It does not have to be this way! We can let go of earthly anxieties because in Jesus, Christmas has the most abundant joy possible and an immovable peace. This is what the Angels were singing about:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
That single phrase sings the melodic line of our life as a believers. First, God is above all and deserves our worship. Glory to Him and Him alone. Nothing else matters but God. Take out the fluff of Christmas, reduce it down to the lowly birth of a baby declared to some dirty shepherds and you will find the most precious and significant thing of your life. God. He is worthy of glory! Second, we are promised peace on earth and good will toward men. Jesus was born so that those on earth would be at peace with Him and with each other. The angels placed things in the right order. From our worship of the true God comes peace in our hearts and right living towards others. Third, the angels show up in the ordinary lives of the shepherds. That is just like Jesus. He shows up in our everyday lives and brings good news of great joy! The power and peace of that first holy night is right there with you in your everyday moments.
Without Christ, all of the trappings of Christmas will never satisfy. In fact, we might end up feeling rather depressed by all of it and left wondering what Christmas is even all about. It is in Christ that Christmas and all of life throughout the year takes on new meaning. Jesus said “I have come to give them life and give it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Life is abundant because of our relationship with Him and can be abundant even in the worst of circumstances. Our joy and peace is not found in earthly things. It is found in God in the highest! He wants you to experience peace beyond what this world can give and it begins with the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, who should take center stage in our life in all seasons.
And like Linus says, “That is what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”