That's What Christmas is All About

For Christmas eve I want to borrow from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. It still makes me cry and it still amazes me that it gets played on broadcast television.

The mishaps of the lovable Charlie Brown generally leave him in a state of melancholy. He can’t quite seem to keep up with the consumerism and traditions and pace and joy of those around him through the season. He comes to the point where he has pursued all that the world and others have tried to sell him for Christmas and he still isn’t satisfied. It is at this point where he asks a question:

“Isn’t there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?”

Little Linus, thumb in mouth and security blanket close to his side, asks for the lights to be dimmed and steps up to the microphone:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them:

Fear not: for behold, I bring 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: You 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.’

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Linus, timid, meek little Linus steps forward in that moment to provide the clarity that Charlie Brown desired. Until last year I had never noticed a beautiful moment in that scene. As he quotes: “and the angel said unto them ‘fear not’” Linus drops his security blanket. With assurances from heaven and an understanding of who Christ is, Linus in that moment drops the very thing that has come to define him: a security blanket.

If you are in Christ you have no need to carry in your heart all sorts of security blankets: bank accounts, reputation, good schools, and so many other things. They are not bad things. They just don’t provide the security we need most.

To follow Christ is to be covered in an eternal security blanket. His blood covers and comforts and brings peace, joy, and hope. The security you may desire, the longing for stability in our fractured world, isn’t going to be found anywhere else. Jesus’ death and resurrection is not just a blanket for comfort. It is a rock and a fortress and an ever present help in need.

Let Linus’ example bring you peace this holiday season. You will open no better present than the one already given in the manger.