Sixty years ago this year a classic was born when “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was first seen on American televisions. No one knew at the time that it would become a classic but generations have grown to love the simple story of a simple boy wanting to bring simplicity back into Christmas. Yep, that’s really what the legend is all about. Sure, it includes Snoopy’s silly dancing, fun piano riffs, a Christmas pageant, and what is undoubtedly one of the holiday’s most enduring symbols: the infamous Charlie Brown Christmas tree; but ultimately the script reminds us what the real gift of Christmas is.
In the tale, Charlie Brown is bummed because all his buddies…Lucy, Sally, even Snoopy…seem more concerned with presents and money than the reason for the season. Commercialism has run amok and it’s taken the Christmas spirit out of one Mr. Brown. When Lucy suggests he direct the Christmas play, Charlie Brown agrees and all seems to be going well until it’s time for him and Linus to pick out a tree. There’s peer pressure from the cast to choose a shiny aluminum one, but Charlie Brown chooses a small, sickly tree that he innocently believes only needs some tender loving care, saying “This little green one here seems to need a home.” Others laugh at it and at him, but the laughter stops when Linus gives a speech of all speeches in which he quotes Luke 2:8-14.
“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.” Then Linus turns to his pal and says, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”
End scene. Amen. Hallelujah.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” premiered on CBS on December 9, 1965 and was viewed in and estimated 15,490,000 homes; nearly half of all those watching television that evening.
Shulz’s goal for the special was to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Many at the time even back then thought its quoting of the bible should maybe be rethought. Some even went so far as to ask Schulz to omit any and all scripture. Schulz refused to do so. I can’t help but wonder if that happened today would today’s television producers and writers fall in line with Schulz.
In the end, the sound of sweet-voiced children singing “Christmastime is here” perfectly wrapped up the Christmas tale but it took Charlie Brown, Linus, and a droopy tree to remind everyone that unlike a shimmering aluminum tree, Christmas is not about tinsel and glitter. It’s about a King born in a barn in front of animals. You don’t get any more simple than that. Jesus could have been born anywhere, but He chose to be born in front of the lowly. If there was a tree in the manger, I’m guessing it was more like Charlie Brown’s than any color-coordinated or perfectly adorned tree.
Beyond Words 