There is beauty in the little things, in the little manager, of Christmas just as Charlie Brown teaches us in this heartwarming tale.
Most people have either read or watched the festive story of A Charlie Brown Christmas. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a personal favorite Christmas book and Christmas movie for me and my family. This Christmas classic first aired in 1965 and still continues to lead as a holiday feature for a variety of channels and platforms. In the same way, the book, A Charlie Brown Christmas, can still be found in most bookstores. There is a reason A Charlie Brown Christmas has remained popular all these years—because it shares the true meaning of Christmas in a fun, warm-hearted, loving way. Here are three simple, but powerful takeaways from the beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas:
1. It Shares the True Meaning of Christmas
The most powerful takeaway from A Charlie Brown Christmas is that the book and television adaption share the true meaning of Christmas with the audience. At the beginning of the story, Charlie Brown is depressed because he does not know the true meaning of Christmas. Charlie tells Linus, “I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel” (Katie Robinson, “15 of the Most Memorable Quotes from A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Town and Country, 2021).
Over the course of the story, Charlie talks to Lucy about his depression and she recommends Charlie to be the director of the Christmas play. Thinking that this could brighten his Christmas spirit, Charlie accepts the offer and becomes the director of the play. The Christmas play ends in disaster, and overcome with frustration, Charlie yells out “Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” (Katie Robinson, “15 of the Most Memorable Quotes from A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Town and Country, 2021).
Charlie’s dear friend Linus steps in and tells Charlie he can tell him the real meaning of Christmas. Linus recites the birth of Jesus from the Bible by quoting Luke 2:8-14 in the King James Version. This is the simple, but powerful takeaway we need to remember from A Charlie Brown Christmas. It is too common that we find ourselves losing sight of the true meaning of Christmas, or we might not even know the true meaning of Christmas in the first place.
Linus shares the true meaning of Christmas with Charlie and with us as well. Christmas is known to be a holiday filled with expensive gifts, glistening lights, and elaborate parties; however, the true meaning of Christmas is found in the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. During Christmas this year, take time to reflect on the true meaning of the season—Jesus’ advent into the world. The beautiful lights that adorn houses are pleasing to the eye, but look to the shining light of Jesus Christ for the true meaning of Christmas. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy reading and watching A Charlie Brown Christmas because it is one of the few Christmas stories that presents the true meaning of Christmas.
2. Find Beauty in the Little Things
The second powerful takeaway from A Charlie Brown Christmas is the concept of finding beauty in the little things. During rehearsal for the play, Charlie Brown thinks the perfect addition to the play would be a festive Christmas tree. Therefore, Charlie and Linus go in search of the best Christmas tree. Lucy wants the boys to get a pretty pink tree; however, Charlie picks out his own Christmas tree upon arriving at the Christmas lot. Rather than picking a beautiful, large, evergreen Christmas tree, Charlie picks a skinny, short tree that barely has any greenery on it. It was the most unlikely of choices for the “perfect” Christmas tree.
Linus seems apprehensive of Charlie’s choice; however, Charlie affirms this tree is the best Christmas tree for the play. Charlie reasons that once the tiny tree is decorated, it will look as beautiful as any other tree—if not even more beautiful. This teaches us to find beauty in the little things of life. Charlie Brown could have picked a strong, tall, beautiful tree; however, he chose the small, needy tree to give it care, support, and love. In the same way, we should look to find beauty in the little things in unexpected places just like Charlie Brown did in A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Christmas time is a great time to slow down and enjoy the little things in life, such as falling snow, sharing laughter with friends, or gazing at the stars at night. There is beauty in unexpected places—it is just waiting to be found by you. Charlie Brown found beauty in the ordinary, little things of Christmas and I know we can do the same. Our Christmas’ would look extraordinary if we focused on celebrating the little things that make the holiday special to us, such as the homemade cookies you bake with your mom or the photographs you snap of your grandfather laughing. There is beauty in the little things, in the little manager, of Christmas just as Charlie Brown teaches us in this heartwarming tale.
3. Commercialism Does Not Dictate Christmas
A third simple, but powerful takeaway from A Charlie Brown Christmas is the fact that commercialism does not dictate Christmas. As established under number one, Christmas is not about gifts, Santa Claus, or elaborate parties. Modern-day Christmas has evolved to reflect commercialism and materialism. This erroneous focus on commercialism during Christmas is brought out by Lucy when she states, “Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know” (Katie Robinson, “15 of the Most Memorable Quotes from A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Town and Country, 2021).
Sadly, many people focus on commercialism and materialism rather than on the true meaning of Christmas. You do not have to purchase expensive, luxury items for your loved ones in order to properly celebrate Christmas. All you need to celebrate Christmas is a heart full of love, praise, and worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas would not be a holiday unless it signified Jesus’ advent into the world.
Even though many people who are not Christians celebrate Christmas, Christmas is the celebration and remembrance of Jesus’ birth into the world. Christmas should be a time of peace, praise, and worship of our wonderful Savior. Frantic holiday shopping, gift wrapping, and Black Friday deals are not at the heart of Christmas. Jesus wants you to rest in the peace that only He can give (John 14:27).
A Charlie Brown Christmas reminds us Christmas is not dictated by commercialism or materialism. Christmas is about Jesus as Linus reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas when he recited Luke 2:8-14. If we are not careful, our own Christmas can be drowned out by commercialism and materialism. Charlie Brown did not need expensive gifts to have a merry Christmas. All he needed was to know the true meaning of Christmas, which his best friend Linus tells him.
Maybe you can be a Linus to somebody in your life this year. God never wanted the anniversary of His Son’s birth to be polluted by commercialism. Sadly, this is what the world has done. Christmas can be reclaimed from the grip of commercialism by Christians helping others know the true meaning of Christmas. Do not feel like you need to spend hundreds of dollars on Christmas this year, or any year. The commercial market would love you to spend your money on expensive gifts, but you do not need to or have to. Spend this Christmas season in reflection on Jesus and learning more about Him. Share memories, laughter, and kindness with your friends and families. This final takeaway from A Charlie Brown Christmas helps us to avoid falling into the trap of commercialism, and instead, to fall into the arms of Jesus.
Photo Credit: ©AppleTV
