TGIF and Merry Christmas! The year has flown and now, it’s time to get away from a keyboard and from work and focus on what really matters – faith and family.
Soon, I will reflect again on the most wonderful story of all, the birth of Jesus. The season of Christmas does not exist without the “reason” for the season.
I am a huge fan of Peanuts and Charlie Brown. For me, among all of the Christmas specials that existed when I was a kid, A Charlie Brown Christmas was number 1. I really do like most of them and when I was a kid, there were many goodies to choose from including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, etc. Charlie Brown however, ruled over all.
The best part of the Charlie Brown Christmas was when Charlie Brown, after being ridiculed for the tree he picked-out, cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus answers by saying, “sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” Linus then nails it, reciting the Christmas story found in the Gospel of Luke, 2: 8-14. Beautiful. Watch it from A Charlie Brown Christmas here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVp5AGte_4Q
A number of years ago, I learned something that is unique in this scene, and again at the end of the show. Linus, who always has his trusty blanket with him, drops it during his recitation of the Christmas story and THEN, he parts with it again to wrap the tree, turning it into a strong, green Christmas tree. This symbolism is rare but poignant.
Linus drops his blanket, his security, because something more secure has come into the world, the Savior of mankind. The birth of Jesus allows all of us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping to so tightly and learn to trust and cling to the Savior instead. This world can be a scary place, and most of us find ourselves grasping to something fleeting for security, whatever that thing may be. Ours is a world in which it is very difficult for us to “fear not”, especially now.
In the scene when Linus encounters the tree after Charlie Brown, having put an ornament on it and it wilted, says, “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. Maybe, it just needs a little love”, he uses his blanket as the expression of love (wrapping the tree). He gave something of himself so personal, so important so that something else (someone else) would find and feel, comfort and support. That is the meaning of Christmas.
So, my wish for all of the readers and followers and visitors of Reg’s Blog is may you have a wonderful, joyful Christmas, full of God’s blessings and comfort. I’ll be back with some health policy, etc. stuff next week some time. Until then, TGIF and Merry Christmas!
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