Tonight, Mommypundit and I sat down with our daughters to watch some of our favorite animated Christmas specials. My favorite by far is one that has been around for almost 40 years - A Charlie Brown Christmas. One of the most remarkable facts about this special is that it was a show that almost didn't get made. It would go on to win both an Emmy and Peabody award and become a classic.
One of the show's highlights is it's jazz soundtrack featuring compositions by legendary pianist Vince Guaraldi. Walk into a store during the Christmas season and you're likely to hear such tracks as "Christmas Time is Here", "O Christmas Tree", or the song also known as the Peanuts Theme, "Linus and Lucy".
But the reason that this special stands out from the crowd of so many other specials that have aired in the last 40 years is its message.
Charlie Brown is depressed and discouraged by the commercialism that is so prevalent during Christmas. He becomes so exasperated at one point that he asks "Isn't there anyone who knows the real meaning of Christmas?" It is Linus who provides the answer by quoting Luke 2:8-14:
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 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.
Let us never forget the real reason that we celebrate Christmas.
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