Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14
Terri Webster Schrandt

Weekend Coffee Share: That’s What Christmas is All About, Charlie Brown.”

If we were having coffee on this fourth and final Sunday of Advent, in which we celebrate love, we would sip a hot beverage while our choir performs.

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Traditionally the Advent candles are lit, one each Sunday, commemorating Hope, Peace, and Joy. Today the fourth candle, representing Love, is lit. In the middle of the candles is a fifth candle, called the Christ candle, which unites all the candles of Advent.

My friend Janet Sunderland, on her blog Community of the Incarnation, sums up the Advent season so eloquently:

“Merry Christmas. And may the light of the Christ, renewed again, shine from your life to offer the peace that passes all understanding.”

If we were having coffee, I would remind you that this year is the 50th anniversary of the beloved TV show, A Charlie Brown Christmas. I grew up watching this TV show and it is not Christmas for me if I miss this show. Thanks to DVDs and YouTube, I don’t.

Here is the heart of the story, and therefore, my message today.

Poor Charlie Brown suffers depression and the rest of the gang is caught up in the commercialism of the season. In 1965, they embraced fake trees, materialism and distractions from the true meaning of Christmas. Nothing much has changed in 50 years, hmm?

During their Christmas play practice, as Charlie Brown endures derisive laughter over his sad little tree, a frustrated Charlie asks, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Tell it Like it Is
image from Internet

Linus begins to take center stage… “sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about…”

“…And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: (Linus drops his security blanket on purpose);

for behold, I bring unto 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 Savior, 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.'” (Luke 2:8-14 KJV)

Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

With renewed hope, Charlie picks up the tree and walks back to his house and attempts to place an ornament on the tree as he reflects on the scripture Linus recited. Sadly, the tree bends under the weight of the ball. Charlie dejectedly mopes away proclaiming “Everything I touch gets ruined!”

Linus and the gang follow him and see the poor tree. As Linus picks up the tree, wrapping his blanket around the base, he says, “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really…

Wait for it…

…Maybe it just needs a little love.”

Like we ALL do. Just a little love.

Regardless of your beliefs, in a world desperately needing love, ponder these thoughts this holiday season.

We all know the words to “Oh Holy Night.” This is the truth of the final verse: “Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace.”

 

This is my last Weekend Coffee Share post of the year until mid-January.

Please stop by Part-Time Monster’s blog and enjoy a hot beverage with us. You, too can be part of the gang!

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48 comments

  1. Merry Christmas to you. We just watched this movie a few days ago. After 50 years, this movie still rings true. Possibly even more so now than then. In a world that thrives on commercialism, it’s easy to forget this message. We constantly remind our boys that Christmas is for Jesus, Santa and presents are a side effect.

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  6. Terri! Your words here today are so meaningful and poignant! Thank you for sharing with us not only Janet’s amazing quote (she’s fabulous!) but also Charlie Brown’s! Even 50 years old, the sentiment of that cartoon still rings true today!! Happy almost Christmas!!!

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      • Thanks Terri! Indeed this is a busy but joyful time of year… No snow here yet! In fact, it’ll be 65 degrees on Christmas Eve! I’m loving this mild weather. But surely snow isn’t far away!!

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  7. Terri, you are so kind to unearth this post for another look. I enjoyed reading it and remembering.
    Have a great break.
    We’re on the farm for a few days. No snow this year, lots of wind, and stunning sunsets.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family. And enjoy your downtime.

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  9. Christmas has changed over the years. My early memories were waiting for my Grandmother to bring over our gifts. During the war year Christmas was sparse as there were no toy to be had. My favorite Christmas gift was home made divinity and fudge froun our Great Aunt Gladys and Great Grandmother Burns. I miss the Christmas carols very much. Have a great Holiday with family and friends. Take a moment and Pray for WORLD PEACE.

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  10. I paused reading this and told my husband, “I’ve never seen the Charlie Brown Christmas movie, but this post I’m reading makes me want to.” The look of horror on his face when I said the “never seen” bit makes me think that’s going to change pretty quickly!

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  17. Terri, I learn so much through blogging, especially about other cultural traditions and even though Americans and Australians seemingly speak the same language, there a re still so many subtle and even not so subtle cultural expressions and experiences. I’ve never seen this Charlie Brown movie and until today, hadn’t heard of a Charlie Brown Tree either. In Australia, we don’t refer to “the holidays” and wish people a Merry Christmas unless we know they’re opposed. That sort of greeting isn’t particularly Christian and I would tend to wish people a blessed Christmas to make the distinction.
    We have a real tree every year but my daughter told me you can now buy fake trees which come with their own Christmas lights. That just doesn’t seem right to me.
    Well, I wish you and yours a Merry & Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
    xx Rowena

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  18. I’ve never actually seen this film. It sounds wonderful. Maybe I”ll have to try to find it somewhere. I feel sad sometimes at the commercial nature of Christmas. I try to look beyond it, but having grown up in such a world it’s hard. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. 🙂

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  21. I love that you’ve invoked The Peanuts gang and the wisdom of Linus here. We most certainly do need to ‘ponder these thoughts this holiday season’. May the world know peace in 2016. Lots of love to you and yours this holiday season Terri.

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