9 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.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city
of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- Luke 2:9-11 (KJV)
Raise
your hand if you require a tally sheet to count the number of times you’ve
watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” during the Christmas season. Some of us
have never missed a year. The Arnold compound has it recorded just in case we
miss the airing.
Added
to the television line-up of Christmas specials in 1965, Charlie Brown
delivered a simple message of unity, tolerance, and hope through Christ. When
the special was released, it is estimated that only 9% of the Christmas
specials in the 1960’s had any reference to religion (Wikipedia). This
religiously arid landscape caused the producers to question the creator of
Charlie Brown, Charles Schultz, insistence to share the good news of Christ on
television. It was risky. Schultz told them, “If we don't do it, who will?” The
producers nervously agreed to proceed.
Like
our current culture’s harried holiday pace, often neglecting Christ’s role
through the rush of Christmas, Charlie Brown finds himself in the same pace. He
becomes frustrated with living out the wrong version of Christmas. The story
turns when Charlie Brown desperately screams out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows
what Christmas is all about?!”
Linus
then calmly, confidently answers, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what
Christmas is all about.” He then drags his blanket to center stage, the
spotlight hits him, and he begins to quote directly from Luke 2 in the King
James version.
While
the viewers sit still and listen to Linus, Charles Schultz takes his own moment
in the spotlight to to subtly and intentionally preach a sermon to every
eye. It’s a sermon delivered in what
isn’t said, but what is seen. With one small gesture in the course of Linus’
reciting of the Annunciation of Christ, Mr. Schultz drew Linus to drop his
security blanket just as Linus recites the angel’s words “fear not” in verse
10. Linus concludes his soliloquy, picks
up his security blanket, and quietly exits from the spotlight.
I am
encouraged by the the message of hope which Linus recites from Luke 2. More so, I am emboldened by the bold sermon
on the security of Christ Mr. Schultz preached through one simple, intentional
gesture by Linus’ dropping of the blanket.
Maybe
this is why I cling so tightly to Linus’ little “blanket drop”. Even though
Linus knows about the good news of Christ, he demonstrates his security in God
by swapping his blanket for something greater, life in Christ. Yes, he does
return to the temporary blanket when the spotlight is off… but isn’t that what
we tend to do in times of darkness?
This
Christmas, may we each pray for the courage and boldness to shine the spotlight
of hope and unity in Christ with our family, our friends, and our
community. And may we also pray to
remain secure in what Christ has done for us when we leave the spotlight and
enter those dark and stormy nights.