Do these words sound familiar?

“Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Quietly and confidently, Linus says, “Sure Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” Then Linus walks to the center of the stage with the lights shining upon him and eloquently recites Luke 2:8-14.

These words appear in one of my favorite Christmas traditions, the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, a timeless classic, that highlights our Savior’s birth, the true meaning of Christmas. When Charles Schulz wrote the script, he received some backlash from the producers when he wanted to include the Christmas message from the King James Version. Being a former Sunday School teacher, he held his ground and kept it in the script. At its first viewing, the show was a hit and continues to be today.

Did you ever notice that Linus drops his blanket at the very moment he says, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people”?

Why is it so unusual that Linus drops his blanket? It is the first time he is ever seen not holding onto his security blanket. Earlier in the episode, Lucy tries to get Linus to drop it and mocks him for being so attached. When Linus recites the words, “Fear Not,” he forgets about his blanket, which is on the floor of the stage, and continues to recite the Christmas story in Luke 2:8-14 to prove to the audience that is the true meaning of Christmas. 

Our Savior’s miraculous birth is a symbol of not being fearful and looking unto Him as our Prince of Peace. 

Easier said than done. When my daughters were very young, they had certain things they refused to go to bed without. Those items provided a measure of comfort, and bedtime didn’t happen until they were holding onto them. However, on occasion when they had a nightmare, they called for me or my husband, their parents, to give them comfort, which superseded their little treasures. 

Isn’t that what our relationship with the Lord is like? No tangible item can replace the comfort our Lord and Savior so freely gives. Today, take a moment to ask yourself, what is your measure of comfort or something you are not willing to let go? Whatever source of comfort it may be, the product is usually not peace.

As we celebrate Christmas, drop the blanket (or you fill in the blank) of the security you seek, and remember the words that Linus reminds us of, “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.” 

That is what Christmas is all about!

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.