This year we’ve been looking to discover the true
meaning of Christmas based on the old Charlie Brown
Christmas special. It begins with Charlie Brown’s
confession that all of the things we normally associate
with Christmas have left him empty and depressed.
Ultimately the entire show comes down to the
question asked by Charlie Brown “Isn’t there anyone
who knows what Christmas is all about?”
It’s a question that is still relevant today. And it is
interesting to see how people are answering that
question, and just how much those answers are
reflected in the cast of Charlie Brown’s Christmas.
A. For Snoopy, Christmas is about all the hoopla
and the excitement, the lights and the glitz. And
we all know people like Snoopy.
And it’s easy to get caught up in all the hype of
Christmas without understanding what Christmas is
all about.
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But Christmas is all about eternal life, not just
celebrating a holiday.
B. In contrast to Snoopy we see Lucy and For Lucy
Christmas is all about the Effort. So much stuff “to
do”… Lucy is so wrapped up in making sure that
everything is just right for Christmas she misses
Christmas. Even worse, the hustle and bustle of the
season just makes Lucy grumpier and more cynical.
Ultimately she tells Charlie Brown “ Look,
Charlie, let’s face it. We all know that Christmas is
a big commercial racket. It’s run by a big eastern
syndicate, you know.”
There are lots of people like Lucy and Christmas
means lists and obligations and lots of stress and
regrets.
But Christmas is all about eternal life, not just more
things to do.
C. And then there is Sally, Charlie Browns’ baby
sister. For Sally Christmas is all about Sally - It’s
all about getting the things she wants for Christmas,
insisting that Charlie help her write her letter to
Santa.
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But here is the reality, Christmas isn’t about the stuff
we do and it’s certainly not about the stuff we get.
Christmas is all about eternal life, not Christmas
presents.
D. Let’s not forget the hero of our story, because
for Charlie Brown Christmas is all about Despair
and Charlie Brown isn’t alone.
Remember Charlie’s words to Linus “I think there’s
something wrong with me Linus, Christmas is coming,
but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed
to feel. I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess. I
like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and
decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I
always end up feeling depressed.”
Unfortunately a lot of people relate to Charlie.
For some it might be a reminder of someone who is no
longer there, either through death, divorce or simply
distance. Or maybe it’s because we can’t afford the
expectations that are placed upon us by society.
Christmas is all about eternal life… Hope, not despair.
E. For Linus Christmas is all about the birth of
Jesus … and here we come to the pivotal moment of
the Charlie Brown Christmas special...
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https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-iba-syn&ei=UTF-8&hsimp=yhs-
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Starting at 2:50 with Charlie saying, “I guess I don’t know what Christmas is all about”
through to 4:28 ish with Linus saying “That’s What Christmas is All About”
“And that’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”
I want to assure you today that Christmas is not all
about
Santa Claus and Ho ho ho
Christmas Trees and Christmas lights
Holiday shopping and Christmas parties
Christmas is about God’s great love for us – and our
need for salvation. It is the Good News – the “glad
tidings of great joy” that a “Saviour has been born!”
It is the truth of John 3:16. “For God So loved…
It is the truth of John 1:14 “And the Word was made
flesh and dwelt among us…”
Christmas is all about God’s plan of Salvation – the gift
of eternal life that we all need.
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But it would take more than a birth to provide us
salvation.
1. Christmas is the opening act of a 3 part play.
The drama that would unfold and ultimately lays
out God’s plan of salvation and eternal life for
fallen humanity … a plan that would
begin with the angelic announcement to a Virgin
named Mary.
be repeated to her Fiancé Joseph
When the time for the birth came, Joseph and Mary
went to Bethlehem to be taxed.
No room in the inn so they stayed in a stable
There Jesus would be born – God in flesh – not in a
palace but in an humble stable, laid in a manger,
wrapped in strips of cloth.
His birth was announced by angels to Shepherds who
came to see what the angels had told them about.
Then Wise Men from the east came with their gifts
of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
But that was just the opening act – an important
opening act, mind you! – but just the opening act!
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2. As Act 2 of the Drama of Redemption would
unfold in the Gospels, we would watch the baby
grow to a boy and then a man. We would see those
3 ½ years of ministry as He would heal the sick,
raise the dead, cast out demons and proclaim the
Kingdom of God. And in all of this he would remain
sinless, qualifying Him to do what He came to do as
the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world –
3. Act 3: The lights would rise on the final act of
this incredible play as Jesus would die on an old
rugged cross – paying our sin debt – and then rising
from the dead to guarantee for us eternal life.
The Birth of Christ… His Sinless Life… and His Sacrificial
Death and Resurrection… so that we could have eternal
life… That’s What Christmas is All About.
Today we remember and celebrate the Birth of Christ.
We are grateful that a Virgin named Mary said yes
We are grateful that a Man named Joseph said yes
But most of all we are thankful that the God of
all the Universe said Yes, “I’ll give my son as a
ransom for many.”
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And that the Son of God – Jesus the Messiah – said
Yes…
Yes I’ll leave the glories of heaven
Yes I’ll become clothed in human flesh
Yes I’ll be born as a baby – suffer the pains of
humanity - live a sinless life
And Yes, I’ll die on a cruel cross so that man can
have eternal life.
And that’s What Christmas is all About!
Conclusion: Musicians Come
The Closing Scene of the Charlie Brown Christmas
features the cast singing the old Christmas Carol, “Hark
the Herald Angels Sing”… Follow along as I read the
words…
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
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Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Born to Give Them Second Birth!
That’s What Christmas is All About?
[Matthew 1:21 KJV] 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and
thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people
from their sins.
[Luke 2:11 KJV] 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
