Christmas Time Is Here

By Sidewalk Prophets • Dec 22nd, 2009 • Category: Artists in Residence

Well, it is that time of year again. It’s time to dust off the decorations, make a wish list for Santa, hang a shining star upon the highest bow, and, perhaps, even roast chestnuts on an open fire. Christmas sure is a special tradition. But amongst the glitz and glamour and silver bells, what is it all for? For the answer to the meaning of Christmas, let us look at one of the greatest traditions of all… the holiday movie!

Surely the reason for the holidays must ring out amongst the thousands of Christmas movies that seem to capture the season for so many Americans. Maybe those that currently reside on my shelf will shed some light. Take “Home Alone” for example. It is a movie about a bratty kid that gets left alone at Christmas, defends his home from robbers using contraptions that would likely kill any normal human being, and in the end, realizes that family is what matters. Sure this message supplies a heartwarming hug quickly supplanted by a laugh, but I still feel like something is missing.

Maybe the answer lies in “A Christmas Story,” which as far as I can tell, defines the meaning of Christmas as shooting your eye out and other childhood rabble-rousing. Perhaps the best at capturing the message of Christmas is “Elf.” Who doesn’t love a movie about believing in the unseen or eating spaghetti with M&M’s, marshmallows, and syrup? “A Christmas Carol” (the Disney version is my favorite though the Muppet version is great too) reminds us to be generous to those less fortunate and to seize the day. “It’s a Wonderful Life” proclaims that life is a gift and that angels love bells. And “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” strikes a chord revealing that the Christmas spirit can’t be stopped, not by theft or nonsensical limerick. While all those ideas are fantastic, something is still missing. Something is not being said. Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about!!! Only one film that resides upon my towering shelf of Christmas movies can unashamedly deliver the truth.

Enter a television special that first aired in 1965. With choppy audio, simple animation, and untrained actors, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was destined to be a flop. CBS executives were horrified at what Charles Schultz had presented to be run as a Christmas special. Somehow, the simple honesty contained within turned all the shortcomings into strengths, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” became the longest consecutive running special in TV history. It is beloved by generations. And I truly believe it is all because of one scene.

The story goes that Charles Schultz was fighting for his little cartoon, and he wouldn’t back down. Executives at CBS were up in arms. They could overlook all the shortcomings of his special except for one. They were adamant that no one wanted to sit and listen to some cartoon preach to them from the King James Version of the Bible. But Viewers were sure to change the channel. Charles would not be swayed and would not take out the scene. Unflinching, he asked the executives, “If we don’t tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?” The executives reluctantly gave in and allowed the Peanuts character Linus to recite Christ’s birth from the Gospel of Luke. It is this scene and this scene alone that truly gives us an answer to the meaning of Christmas. Linus answers Charlie Brown’s plea by stepping to the stage and saying:

“Lights please.’⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

Hearing the voice of Linus speak those words still moves me to tears, but what is even more amazing is an often unnoticed act within this scene. During the speech, Linus does something miraculous. Everyone knows that Linus is never without his trusty security blanket. The blanket gives him a sense of peace in such a crazy commercialized world. But during the scene as soon as Linus declares “Fear not,” his blanket falls from his hands, and he continues the story of Jesus’ birth free from fear. It was just a small act, one that many people miss, and I thank my friend, Jeff Dean, for bringing it to my attention. In that simple act, this cartoon character somehow sums up the way God wants us to live, unashamed, truthful, and free from fear. Christmas is all about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and all the love that He brings.

If you haven’t seen “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in a while or never at all, I strongly encourage you to go out and get it. And if you want to witness Linus’ small act of faith you can check out my favorite scene here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA

I love Christmas and the movies that come along with it. From “The Santa Clause” to “Santa Claus the Movie,” the movies can warm our hearts. But I am truly thankful for one stubborn and unashamed animator that took a chance on Christ and helped to remind us what Christmas truly is all about.

So Merry Christmas Charlie Brown and to you as well, and God bless us everyone!

- Dave Frey

Sidewalk Prophet

Tagged as: Sidewalk Prophets

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