A couple of weeks ago, we had a Christmas celebration with some close friends. We enjoyed fondue (which included a surplus of chocolate for dessert to dip fruit and even chocolately things into), talking, laughing, worshiping together through song and carol and some time in prayer. This was a great night amidst an amazing community of friends in an awesome new house our friends just moved into.
One of my favorite parts of the evening was the pre-dessert viewing of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Of course, I always like Charlie Brown and the cartoon was funny and enjoyable in the beginning. However, as it moves along, Charlie is gradually more fed up and frustrated at having no joy at Christmastime at the commercialism of it all. All the other kids are being terribly mean to him because they think he messed up the Christmas play by buying a stupid little tree. At the height of the sadness and frustration, Linus comes in to set things straight. He steps on stage and a spotlight shines on him on his blanket. Then he goes for it:
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men! (Luke 2: 8-14; NKJV)
That's the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown!"
Many of us admitted later that we were holding back tears as we watched that. I was in awe at the power and simplicity. God's Word is always powerful, but this was one of the most powerful proclamations I have heard in a long time. Out of the mouths of children (even cartoon ones), God has ordained praise.
Merry Christmas! Celebrate the joy of the infant child, come to save the world!
One of my favorite parts of the evening was the pre-dessert viewing of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Of course, I always like Charlie Brown and the cartoon was funny and enjoyable in the beginning. However, as it moves along, Charlie is gradually more fed up and frustrated at having no joy at Christmastime at the commercialism of it all. All the other kids are being terribly mean to him because they think he messed up the Christmas play by buying a stupid little tree. At the height of the sadness and frustration, Linus comes in to set things straight. He steps on stage and a spotlight shines on him on his blanket. Then he goes for it:
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men! (Luke 2: 8-14; NKJV)
That's the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown!"
Many of us admitted later that we were holding back tears as we watched that. I was in awe at the power and simplicity. God's Word is always powerful, but this was one of the most powerful proclamations I have heard in a long time. Out of the mouths of children (even cartoon ones), God has ordained praise.
Merry Christmas! Celebrate the joy of the infant child, come to save the world!
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