60 Years of Hearing the Gospel in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

2000 or so years ago there were probably heated conversations in Israel about how many terms Quirinius would serve as Governor, the political ramifications of Caesar’s Census, the new tax rates, the terrorist threat level, and when a great political leader would come to usher in the Kingdom of God on earth. Seems like not much has changed today.

Many in those days missed that first Christmas because of the human gravitational pull for political saviors. Even today many think the gospel is a political message or good advice for better living rather than God’s sovereign grace and power to save sinners. No one back then was looking for the hope of the world and the glory of God in a feeding trough in Bethlehem. Yet God the Son humbly put on flesh, stepped into time and space, and chose to live with us and for us. John 1:14 says literally, “He pitched his tent among us, and we saw His glory.”

A Charlie Brown Christmas is the animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It made its debut on the CBS television network on December 9, 1965. It tried to turn counter the culture’s counterfeit Christmases and to remind and the audience then and ever since that Jesus is the reason for the season. It concluded its 26-minutes with Linus responding to Charlie Brown’s frustration about the commercialization of Christmas when Charlie shouts, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus, hearing his friend’s question, carried his blanket on stage and recited the following from Luke 2:8-14:

”And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”

You may recall Linus’ blanket was his ever-present security and companion. In all Charles Schultz’ cartoons Linus was never without it except one time. At the exact moment in the story when Linus recites the words, ‘Fear not…a Savior is born, which is Christ the Lord” Linus drops his precious blanket. This wasn’t an accident. Charles Schultz, a Christian, was quite intentional in presenting the gospel.

 In this seemingly innocent moment, Linus delivers a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. We are to “fear not”, for Jesus is born. We are to “love one another” (John 13:34). We needn’t rely on material things for security, we have God with us, “Immanuel”, (Matthew 1:23) Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior - the true meaning of Christmas. 

 Also, amid the big, bright, colorful, shiny artificial trees, Charlie Brown chose the least of them, a little, wooden tree with just a few branches. Shortly thereafter, Linus uses his blanket to wrap about the base of the tree and says, “Maybe it just needs a little love”. In that moment, the tree “awakens”, stands tall and firm. A reminder that no matter who we are, no matter how many sins we’ve committed, a God's love makes all the difference in where we will spend eternity.

Jesus’ birth, His perfect, obedient life, and His atoning death all in our behalf free us from our sin, fears and anxieties, idols, earthly security blankets…and from death. In Christ alone, we find our security, significance, and satisfaction, and receive the greatest joy by loving, treasuring, and delighting in Him. 

BTW, here’s a bit more about why the secular network broadcast the gospel.

Charles Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, was also a devout Christian. CBS asked Schulz to create a Christmas special featuring the Peanuts characters. He agreed with one requirement, that they allow him to include the story of the birth of Jesus. Although network and affiliate executives were hesitant and tried to convince him otherwise, Schulz was insistent. As a result, for the past 60 plus years, millions of people have watched and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and heard the story of Jesus and “what Christmas is all about.”

May you and your family see and savor Jesus in the glory of Christmas Advent Season! May we all boldly and joyfully share the reason for the season – Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and Life

(BTW, the video clip of this gospel scene in the program is HERE