The opening notes of “Christmastime is Here” on the piano by the Vince Guaraldi Trio melt my insides.

It is instant nostalgia overload that has not yet lost its effect. 

It is a direct line to childhood anticipation at Christmas. 

Checking the TV guide just after Thanksgiving every year made my heart happy as we approached the annual viewing of “The Wizard of Oz.” And that meant we’d turned the corner and were headed toward the most anticipated holiday season. 

All of the wonder was ahead of us.

We’d work our way through all of the Rankin/Bass specials, listening to Rudolph’s goofy voice when his dad was so embarrassed about his nose he made him cover it up with some mud. We’d sing and dance with the Heat Miser and the Cold Miser as they battled for snow in Southtown. And I always cringed a little when the Whos down in Whoville carved a roast beast. 

But when Charlie Brown’s turn came, the Christmas tree lot filled with pink and purple trees outlined against the vibrant, deep royal blue sky became the perfect backdrop.

I remember looking proudly to my parents and back to the screen when Linus gave his meaning-of-Christmas speech on the stage. Even then I knew this was the one that got it right. Christmas is the opportunity for the gospel to be broadcast for anyone, everyone. 

Without Christmas, there’d be no gospel to broadcast.

It wasn’t until years later that I would read the deep dives on “A Charlie Brown Christmas” that reflected on details like Linus putting down his security blanket when he gets to the words ‘fear not’ in Luke’s recounting of the response to Jesus’ birth. What an outstanding visual—subtle, yet achingly accurate. 

Now I watch the special at least a couple of times every year but somehow Charlie Brown and his group of school buddies seem indomitable. 

Watching the first time through this season, I was struck by the ordinary characters living ordinary lives with problems we can all understand. The talented Schroeder is completely misunderstood. Lucy and her vanity seeks to make the world revolve around her. There is the one dirty, kind of stinky kid and poor Charlie Brown, depressed and feeling left out.

They are us.

Charlie Brown sulks his way through the holiday season looking for inspiration apart from the commercialized and overbearing event Christmas has become. Disgusted by his dog who has succumbed, he is looking for the sacred center that seems lost on the periphery.

“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,” he confesses. 

Lucy attempts to diagnose the issue, citing everything from the fear of cats to the fear of responsibility. 

“Do you think you have pantophobia?” Lucy asks.

“What’s pantophobia?” Charlie responds.

“The fear of everything,” Lucy answers.

“THAT’S IT!” Charlie Brown shouts.

Anyone who has lived long enough can eventually identify with Charlie Brown. We have expectations and disappointments and are often swept up in a world that glosses over the underlying glory of the truth. And we are all afraid of things that we should not be.

Charlie Brown looks unflinchingly at his life. He asks what Christmas is all about and unwittingly uncovers what life is all about when Linus shares the gospel:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not (blanket drop and mic drop), for behold I bring unto 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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peach, goodwill toward men.’” 

Like Linus dropping the security blanket when he realizes he does not have to be fearful, Charlie Brown’s hope is renewed when he learns about God’s purpose for our world and how it changes our lives. It is a purpose fulfilled not by commercialism and worldly pursuit, but by a Savior sent to rescue all of us from it.

The glorious news of the rescue plan in action sparks Charlie’s imagination, encourages his heart, renews his joy. 

He grins as he recalls Linus sharing the Christmas story and launches out to reclaim the forsaken tree in an effort to remind everyone that the little, wooden tree needs him. He is once again downtrodden by what appears to be the death of the tree.

“I killed it!” He cries after weighing it down with an ornament. 

Charlie’s friends will not let the story end there as they promptly rally and show him that this tree can handle more than he thought possible.

This celebrated Savior born to reclaim the world would hang on a forsaken tree and handle more than any of us thought possible.

Charlie Brown needed to be reminded that the wonder was still ahead of him, as do all of us who believe.