Maybe It Just Needs a Little Love

I should preface this by saying that I somehow didn't grow up watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. In fact, this is the first time I've ever seen it. It was written by Charles Schultz and directed by Bill Melendez. Also, I should note that this is a television special, is only 25 minutes long, and will be a short review, for that reason.

The plot is quite simple. Charlie Brown, frustrated by the rampant commercialism of the modern Christmas season, complains to Linus that he is unhappy every Christmas, despite liking the cards, presents, and decorations. Lucy, also hearing of his problem, decides that the way to fix his problem is to have him direct the Christmas play. Charlie Brown agrees, and starts to direct, but fails in organizing the group. He decides that what the play needs is a Christmas tree, and goes to a lot and buys the smallest, scrawniest, most real tree there. Everyone at the play berates him for the tree, and he explodes, asking if anyone actually knows the true meaning of Christmas. Linus takes center stage and quotes Luke 2:8-14 - the shepherds' encounter with the angels. This makes Charlie Brown feel at peace, and he goes home to decorate his tree. He tries, but the tree falls over from one bulb, and he goes away dejected. The rest of the crew has been following him, and, at Linus' suggestion, decorate the tiny tree and make it look absolutely beautiful. Charlie Brown comes back and is delighted by what he sees. The show closes with the cast singing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing."

While I don't have the nostalgia for this TV special that would temper it to a classic, it still surprised me. The art was not very good, and the animation was choppy. The surprise came when this became my first Jesus-oriented Christmas movie (if you'll allow it) of the season. It is simple, and in its simplicity comes its meaning. I have to admit, I was quite bored the first half, but when Linus took center stage, suddenly the film began to have some sort of meaning. He drops his security blanket when he says, "Fear not, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy," and does not pick it up again until he is finished with the quote. It is interesting to see him feeling safe with something besides his blanket.

Give it to Charles Schultz to not beat around the bush when it comes to what he means to say: Christmas is too commercial, and we should be focusing on Jesus and love for our fellow man. I appreciate his forthrightness, and thus, this little story.