A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas

 Last night A Charlie Brown Christmas was on television, and I was lucky enough to catch it while I was doing dishes in the kitchen.

There are several Christmas Classic short movies that I would watch every Christmas of which I have fond memories... Frosty the Snowman, Twas The Night Before Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and, of course, A Charlie Brown Christmas

I still love each of these classics as an adult, but I have to say, if I could only watch one each year, it would be A Charlie Brown Christmas.

A Charlie Brown Christmas has some clever adult humor that I never understood as a kid (like when Lucy says she wants "Real Estate" and when Charlie Brown keeps talking about "commercialism").



More so than the clever, appropriate adult undertones is the message of the 25 minute 1965 cartoon.  As a child, I could recite Luke 2:8-12 because of Linus' speech.  I have always been a person attuned to sound -- I can recite movies, sermons, books on tape almost verbatim after hearing them about twice.  I watched A Charlie Brown Christmas many times each Christmas season -- the result -- I was a four, five and six year old who could recite the King James version of Luke 2:8-14.



"And there were in the same country shepherds abide 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 until 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign until you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and 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." 

I have always enjoyed the Peanuts Comic strip and the Charlie Brown story lines, but as an adult, I have tremendous respect for Charles Schultz for writing a children's Christmas cartoon that, in 25 minutes, entertains children, teaches children the Truth about Christmas, and entertains, challenges and inspires adults to examine their own hearts regarding the Christmas season.

Thank you, Mr. Schultz... and, of course,

"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"