Are You More Like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, or Linus this Christmas?
In “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown’s sarcasm and sadness over no cards in his mailbox and the commercialization of even Snoopy decorating his doghouse with lights in celebration of the “modern spirit” puts him in a depressed mood and on a search for purpose and meaning at Christmas time.
At psychiatrist Lucy’s suggestion, he tries “involvement” as the Director of the Christmas play to remedy his sadness. Cooperation is at an all-time low for the cast so Charlie Brown thinks that a Christmas tree will set a better mood for the experience. The gang laugh at his tree, and in frustration and exhaustion, Charlie Brown begs, “Doesn’t anyone know what Christmas is all about?” Then Linus, who can’t memorize even one line of the script, saves the day by reciting the real meaning of Christmas from Luke 2:8-14 on center stage with the lights on him.
8And 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. 10 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye 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, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (KJV)
When Linus had finished, Charlie Brown finally had a sense of peace and HOPE in his heart that radiated in his smile as he took his humble tree home and set it in the yard next to Snoopy’s 1st Place commercialized doghouse. Charlie Brown walked into the house, not knowing the gang followed him home. Linus realizes that all this tree needs is a little love as he wraps his security blanket around the base of the tree. The gang proceed to embellish this tree with Snoopy’s decorations, and then start humming “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Charlie Brown hears them and comes out of his house to a great celebration of singing around the tree.
“Hark The Herald Angels Sing”
Hark the herald angels sing – Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild – God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations rise – Join the triumph of the skies. With angelic host proclaim – Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! The herald angels sing – Glory to the newborn King!
Do you know who wrote this song?
How many verses can be found to this song?
Why is this newborn King so important?
Who are you more like this Christmas season?
– Charlie Brown, Snoopy, or Linus?
Created by: Koinonia Senior Care www.kscare.org 316-209-9028
Answers:
- Charles Wesley in 1739 & revised by George Whitefield in 1754 and 1782. The tune we sing today was written by Felix Mendelssohn
- 5
- The newborn King tells us in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.”
