Announcer Blog
Announcer BlogWhat Christmas is All About
Nov 30, 2011 11:34
What I Learned From Linus van Pelt
"Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year"
That's how the Charlie Brown Christmas special starts. I have to admit something right now. I never saw the Charlie Brown Christmas special as a child. "Is that possible?" you ask. Yes. Yes it is. And no, I wasn't raised in cabin in the woods without a television. I just never saw it. Ever.
Now that I'm a parent, I use this time to catch up on things I missed as a child. Dr. Seuss, fairy tales, Candy Land, and Otter Pops. I even share them with my kids. The Charlie Brown TV specials all fall into this category. Things I missed while growing up.
The reason I bring all of this up is because my kids love the Charlie Brown Christmas special, and it's a daily feature at my house. As I was getting ready for work yesterday, I was listening to the character's voices. Lucy wants real estate for Christmas. Sally wants $10s and $20s. Snoopy is trying to win "Money! Money! Money!" for the best decorated house. It seems that everyone is getting lost in the commercial aspect of Christmas. Charlie Brown finally yells "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" and sweet little Linus says "Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about". Linus continues to quote from Luke 2:8-14.
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: for, behold, I bring 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 Saviour, 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 peace, good will toward men.
When I heard that sweet little boy's voice reciting part of the Christmas story from Luke I stopped everything, and just listened. I realized that I'm easily distracted by all the flashing bargins of the season. I very easily get over committed and overwhelmed and no longer enjoy Christmas the way I did when I was a child. I just try and do too much. I try and "do" Christmas like the cover of Martha Stewart Living. It's no surprise I get tired, and grouchy.
This year I'm going to try something different. I'm going to simplify much of what I would normally do, and spend more time with my family. We'll spend less time thinking about all the flash and sparkle of the commercial Christmas, and focus more on the gift of Jesus. I'm praying for a little more peace this Christmas season.
Merry Christmas, with love and peace,
Elizabeth
