On their way to join the rest of the Peanuts gang all skating on a frozen pond, Charlie Brown confides in Linus that even though Christmas is approaching he still feels depressed despite all the presents and cards and tree decorating. His depression and aggravation only get exacerbated by the goings-on in the neighborhood. Though his mailbox is empty of Christmas cards, he tries sarcastically to thank Violet for the card she "sent" him, though Violet says she didn't send him a card.
Charlie Brown (shouting after Violet as she walks away): "Don't you know a sarcasm when you hear it?"
Charlie Brown visits Lucy in her psychiatric booth. On her advice, he gets involved in directing a school play about the Nativity. On the way to the auditorium, Charlie Brown is drawn to Snoopy, who is busy decorating his doghouse. After Charlie Brown demands an explanation, Snoopy hands him a flier about a neighborhood lights and display contest.
He is then accosted by Sally, who wants Charlie Brown to take dictation for a letter to Santa, in which she ultimately asks him (Santa) to "just send money", particularly tens and twenties, causing Charlie Brown to run away in exasperation.
Charlie Brown arrives at the rehearsals, but try as he might, he cannot seem to get control of the situation as the uncooperative kids are more interested in modernizing the play with dancing and lively music.
Thinking the play requires "the proper mood", Charlie Brown decides they need a Christmas tree. So Lucy takes over the crowd and dispatches Charlie Brown to get a "big, shiny aluminum tree . . . maybe painted pink". With Linus in tow, Charlie Brown sets off on his quest. But when they get to the tree market, Charlie Brown zeroes in on a small baby tree which, ironically as well as symbolically, is the only real living tree on the lot. Linus displays surprise upon seeing the tree and exclaims, "Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees?”
Charlie Brown begins to wonder if he really knows what Christmas is about, loudly asking in despair. Linus quietly says he can tell him, and walks to center stage to make his point. Under a spotlight, Linus quotes Scripture, particularly the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, verses 8 through 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 good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, 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, good will toward men."
Charlie Brown realizes he does not have to let commercialism ruin his Christmas.
In the end Linus goes up to the little tree and gently props the drooping branch back to its upright position, ornament and all. The kids then start humming "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." When Charlie Brown returns, he demands to know what's going on. When he sees what they have done with the tree, he cannot believe his eyes, and all the kids shout: "MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN!"
And so I say, along with the gang, “Merry Christmas.” Why? Because the wreck and havoc perpetrated and perpetuated by Satan is destroyed. The manger and the cross; the shepherds and the soldiers at the cross; the star and the darkness imposed by the Creator as Jesus died; the magi and the first witnesses of the resurrection are all part of the same story. If it is just about a precious child born into poverty, then no “merry” belongs in the greeting. If the story of Jesus ends with the wheels of history cruelly rolling over Him at the cross, then what use is there in celebrating anything during this season. But Christmas is about the Son of God coming into the world. Born of a virgin, He came to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He came to die and be raised again; He came to set His people free! "This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . . " (1 Timothy 1:15).
So I say Merry Christmas!
No comments:
Post a Comment