A Charlie Brown Christmas

Wikipedia Info.

In 1965, with just a few months to complete the task, Bill Melendez, Charles Schulz, and Vince Guaraldi created a 25 minute animated cartoon with a simple message that has endured for 47 years.  The project was sponsored by Coca-Cola, who intended to sell Coke, but inadvertently produced two timeless phenomena.

"Linus and Lucy"

To everyone’s surprise, Vince Guaraldi pulled off the unlikely task of making a jazz soundtrack enjoyable to children, and created an album that can make a jazz fan out of any adult.  “Linus & Lucy” became the theme song for Peanuts.  “Christmas Time is Here” became a Christmas music staple.

But a phenomenon of eternal significance occurred when Charlie Brown poses a simple question whose answer escapes all the Peanuts characters but Linus.  In the midst of practicing for the Christmas pageant, he solemnly recites the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Luke while illuminated by a symbolic spot light.  Linus concludes with “And that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” 

Apparently Schulz insisted on the scene staying in the final cut, reportedly saying “If we don't tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?”  He succeeded in bringing the gospel to millions. 

Linus's Soliloquy

Schulz’s straightforward manner of sharing the gospel of Christ is a lesson to behold.  It involves one who is seeking an answer, one who has encountered light, and the sharing of that truth in a simple fashion.  No great persuasive arguments, no fanfare, no tugging at emotional heartstrings, and no awkward discomfort.   Linus simply says “Charlie Brown, you asked, and I believe this is your answer.  Christmas is about the birth of our Savior.”

As Charlie Brown embraces that truth, it has an immediate effect on him and his view of the world.  He stumbles a little with his failed attempt to decorate his pitiful tree.  But out of that, a beautiful thing happens.  His seeking and acceptance of the truth has begun to impact those around him, and the whole gang acknowledges the moment singing “…Glory to the Newborn King.”

Perhaps things do go better with Coke.

First appeared in the December 2009 edition of the Manna. http://readthemanna.org