Do we need lights and glitter at Christmas?

 Every Tuesday in December, I’ll post about a different one of my favorite Christmas specials. One look at the piano in my living room should give you a clue of what this week’s show is.

You’ve all seen “A Charlie Brown Christmas” countless times. Right? So I won’t give you a play-by-play. Instead, here are some observations.

The other morning, the DJ’s on the Christian radio station I listen to were talking about “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. One of them commented that when Linus is on the stage reciting Luke chapter 2, verses 8 to 14, he suddenly drops his security blanket. As if knowing that his Savior being born in the city of David on Christmas Eve gives him the security to face the world without any other support.

What I noticed was that near the end of the show, Linus uses his blanket as the tree skirt under Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. Once again, Linus is secure enough just knowing what the holiday is really all about that he gives his blanket up again.

In thinking about it, though, doesn’t Linus seem to be the most well-adjusted kid in the whole Peanuts ensemble?  

And poor Charlie Brown. All he wants is to find the true meaning of Christmas. Even back in 1965, when this special aired, this time of year was filled with commercialism and the message of spending money. Why can’t we remember what we are really celebrating? It’s not about the lights, or the Christmas cards, or the perfect tree, or the Christmas Queen.

It’s about a tiny baby who brings peace on earth, good will towards men.

One side note however. Isn’t the tree Charlie Brown picks out, with its lone red ornament, a better tree than the perfect triangle of a tree that the gang turns it into when they deck it out in Snoopy’s lights and glitter? Christmas is about a simple message, it doesn't need any lights or glitter either.