I have watched A Charlie Brown Christmas countless times over the years. It is one of the shows I always try to get in during the season. Yet, it wasn’t until a couple years ago that I read an article that pointed out something I had missed over the years. It’s a very subtle action that takes place in the show. But within that subtle action lies a very impactful and meaningful lesson for us all.
Near the end, Charlie Brown in exasperation exclaims, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Linus responds, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He then takes center stage, calls for the lights to be dimmed, and recites Luke 2:8-14, the passage about the angels appearing to the shepherds. I’m sure you all have seen this numerous times as well.
What I never noticed on my own was that at the exact moment Linus recites the words of the angel, “Fear Not” he drops his blanket on the ground. Yes, that blanket. The security blanket that Linus carried with him everywhere and never willingly parted with.
Now, most of us, especially as adults, don’t walk around carrying a security blanket with us everywhere we go. At least not visibly. Because if we are honest with ourselves, we do indeed carry invisible blankets with us all the time. We have our own worries, fears, and problems that plague us. And we also all have our own habits, thought patterns, and ways of dealing with those things. It is the old patterns and actions that become our security blankets. As do sometimes the worries, fears, and thoughts we carry. Sometimes, even unconsciously, we hold on to the same worries and doubts on purpose simply because the work of moving forward and through them can sometimes seem scary and hard. Because it is often scary and hard.
What we all need to hear and know is that the message for the shepherds is the same message for us still today. Fear Not. There is Good News. News to bring joy for all the people. A Savior has been born. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
As we continue through the time of Advent and through the season of Christmastide, I invite you to look within yourself. Consider the security blanket(s) you are carrying around with you daily. And hear the words of the angel to “Fear Not” and be like Linus and drop your blanket to the ground.
As I read other articles about this, many also point out that Linus picks the blanket back up and carries it off the stage with him. And, like Linus, we too will probably sometimes bend back down and pick up the blanket we have dropped. But at the end he gives us another lesson. He and the gang follow Charlie Brown home, whereupon he wraps the blanket around the base of the tree and all the others begin to decorate it. We all will probably go through many cycles of dropping and picking back up our own personal security blanket. Sometimes dropping old ones to pick up new ones. The Good News is that we too have a tree that we can approach and lay them at the base of as well. It is the tree that became the Cross of Christ where he died to save us all. Lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Leave them there. And move forward Fearing Not!
Notes from a Book Nerd 