The Cross is the First Christmas Tree

Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about? ~Charlie Brown

Every Christmas season I try to make sure I'm home on the evening that A Charlie Brown Christmas airs.  As you might guess, I have it on dvd, but that doesn't matter.  I want to experience the show like I did when I was growing up.  I know I could dvr it and skip the commercials, but that just wouldn't be the same.

I love so many things about this show, but perhaps my favorite part of A Charlie Brown Christmas is when Charlie goes to pick a Christmas tree for the set of the Christmas play he is directing. Charlie is convinced that the play should not focus on the commercial aspects of the holiday, but instead present a more traditional message.  Charlie feels that a Christmas tree is just what they need.  They will decorate the tree and experience the real meaning of Christmas. He and Linus trudge through the snow to the Christmas tree lot.  Charlie finds a scrawny little pine with a sad narrow trunk and a few wispy branches. To Linus' dismay, Charlie chooses this "real wooden" tree.           

Charlie proudly carries the tree back to the play rehearsal only to be pummeled by the assembled cast with waves of derisive laughter.  Filled with self-doubt, Charlie begins to wonder loudly and with despair if he really knows what Christmas is all about.  Linus says he can tell him and then launches into one of the greatest moments of animated history.  Linus, under a spot light says,  

"'⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

"...and that is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

With new found conviction, Charlie leaves the auditorium taking his little tree with him, intent on decorating the tree at home and showing the others that it will work.  After stopping by Snoopy's decked out doghouse, Charlie borrows an ornament to hang on his tree. 

The tiny branch bends to almost breaking under the weight of the shiny bauble.  Depressed that he has killed the little tree, Charlie walks away discouraged. 

Unbeknownst to him, his cast has followed him out of the auditorium realizing that they had gotten caught up in the commercialism of the season.  They decorate the little tree as they hum "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."  When Charlie Brown comes back to see what they have done, they all shout, "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"  Who can forget the ending chorus of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" as the credits roll? 

This Christmas as I run around buying gifts, attending parties, and cooking for the family, I want to remember one other lonely tree that sat on a hill of derision.  That tree is the cross where Jesus died.  As I embrace this holiday season, I will strive to remember this message:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians 3:13

The baby born in that manger so many years ago grew up to be the perfect Savior who died for my sins on a cross.  This Christmas, as I decorate my tree, I want to remember the gift of that baby and the sacrifice of that man.

Merry Christmas and Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

P.S. We begin reading the One Year Bible on January 1, 2011.  We are reading the version that has Old Testament, New Testament, Psalm and Proverbs each day.  We will NOT be doing the chronological Bible.  Hope you are planning to join me!