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The Meaning of Christmas
Lessons from a classic Christmas cartoon
Christmas is almost here. For many people, this has been a busy and stressful time.
There are several Christmas specials that abound, that address the issue of commercialization — from classics like Miracle on 34th Street and How the Grinch Stole Christmas to modern Christmas stories.
One that highlights the true meaning of Christmas is a simple cartoon from 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas.
There is a scene in which he brings a small, humble sapling to the rehearsal of the children’s Christmas play. The other children laugh at him and he is crestfallen.
He asks if anyone knows what Christmas is really about. Linus walks to the center of the stage, asks for lights, and recites the Annunciation of the Shepherds:
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 unto 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; Ye shall find the babe…
