Like many Americans, I enjoy the Peanuts adaptations that air on television throughout the year. And like many Americans, I make time to watch Merry Christmas Charlie Brown—specifically the scene where Linus recites the second chapter of The Gospel According to Luke. The point of the scene is to explain the true meaning of Christmas, not just to Charlie Brown, but to viewers watching at home. I have always enjoyed the film, but I look forward to the movie airing even more now that I am a Christian and a father of two young children. It may very well be the holiest thing on television each year. Think about it. It is not often we hear positive messages on television about the Bible, let alone Bible verses verbatim. I believe that is one reason we have lost the true meaning of Christmas in this country, and it takes a cartoon to bring us back to reality. That should not be.
I am pro-capitalism, but advertisers have led people to believe Christmas will only be successful if you get the biggest and best gifts for your loved ones. I will not name names, but let’s just say one example looks like Buy More from Chuck and urges consumers to “Win the holidays.” Meanwhile, some retailers have retained or brought back the “Merry Christmas” greeting in a Happy Holidays world, but deep down, the only motivation may be to get you and your money in the door.
That, again, was the point of Linus sharing the Christmas story. People are too caught up in commercialism to enjoy and appreciate Christmas. And Merry Christmas Charlie Brown was made in the 1960s! Consider how much more we have stepped away from God since that era, while also stressing over the gifts that Johnnie and Susie are depending on because hell hath no fury like a scorned child at Christmas.
Seriously, we fret over the amount we can spend on people. A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away, people gave anything and everything, and those who received genuinely appreciated their gift. Now, we succumb to the dark side and engage in battles over new Star Wars toys, knowing that we could better afford original trilogy stuff at the thrift store. When he was a child, my stepfather got fruit and spare change for Christmas. Flash-forward to today and a kid may throw newly gifted fruit and coinage at you. Only in today’s world, people would laugh it off and send the video to television programs, hoping to win prize money for making other people laugh.
Meanwhile, many adults are no better than children. Check out how many people pack the mall to return or exchange the gifts someone spent time and money purchasing. Yes, some men’s sweaters are ugly, and no, not every woman wants a kitchen gadget, but someone, somewhere got nothing for Christmas. Unless there is a sizing issue, suck it up and sport the sweater. Make something with the gadget you did not want or ask for at Christmas time.
At the end of the day, Jesus got money and deodorant after he was born. The men who gave the gold, frankincense, and myrrh were late in giving said gifts. By the time they arrived, Joseph had already moved Mary and Jesus into a house (Matthew 2:11).
Christmas is coming. Christmas is near. And Christmas is much more than praying for a parking place at the mall. Christmas is more than saying “thanks” for a gift you will return. Christmas is even bigger than Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Why? Because Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, God’s only begotten son who was freely given to us as a way of providing everlasting life to those who believe.
