A few nights ago I watched Charlie Brown Christmas on TV. I couldn’t remember the last time I had watched it. Probably not since I was a kid and while watching I realized how I didn’t remember very much about the message of the show. It’s a pretty heavy message. I was actually impressed. As most of you know, Charlie Brown gets a depressed at Christmas and frustrated by all the commercialism. He ends up being told the true meaning of Christmas by his friend Linus who recites one of the Bible verses about the angels and shepherds proclaiming the Christ.
Prior to watching Charlie Brown, my family and I had already decided to have a pretty commercial free Christmas. We decided not to give each other Christmas presents. So as the holidays approached I found myself very detached from the whole thing. I wasn’t running around the malls shopping… spending money… or brainstorming on what would be the best gift for those closest to me. And then I watched Charlie Brown… and he gave me a good little nudge about what I needed to be thinking about.
I must say, I hate Christmas as a religious holiday. I much prefer Easter only because its commercialism can be avoided. However, with Christmas everything is in your face. The lights and decorations… the commercials and the music. And let’s not forget that everyone is celebrating whether or not the believe in Jesus. I mean, it’s a great holiday. It’s time for giving and spending time with family and spreading joy. But not really so religious.
So this year, having the opportunity of not being involved in the hustle and the bustle… I was able to enjoy the simple things and remember what Christmas is all about.
"... Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
Prior to watching Charlie Brown, my family and I had already decided to have a pretty commercial free Christmas. We decided not to give each other Christmas presents. So as the holidays approached I found myself very detached from the whole thing. I wasn’t running around the malls shopping… spending money… or brainstorming on what would be the best gift for those closest to me. And then I watched Charlie Brown… and he gave me a good little nudge about what I needed to be thinking about.
I must say, I hate Christmas as a religious holiday. I much prefer Easter only because its commercialism can be avoided. However, with Christmas everything is in your face. The lights and decorations… the commercials and the music. And let’s not forget that everyone is celebrating whether or not the believe in Jesus. I mean, it’s a great holiday. It’s time for giving and spending time with family and spreading joy. But not really so religious.
So this year, having the opportunity of not being involved in the hustle and the bustle… I was able to enjoy the simple things and remember what Christmas is all about.
"... Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
John 1:29
“ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
