Being away for Christmas is hard and yet is a blessing. Its hard because I miss my family, friends, the fun music, the cold weather, the snow, peppermint hot chocolate and other various traditions. It’s a blessing though because I get to escape from the commercialism that is of Christmas. I get to escape the hustle and bustle, the shopping, and the worrisom worries of forgetting to buy someone a gift…
Its interesting to see how on the World Race we are coming together to make it feel like Christmas, but we are using our resources. Making mistletoe, making garland, snowflakes, getting together with other teams, cutting a tree and making it look the best we can to be a Christmas tree, and watching Christmas movies.
I recently watched the Charlie Brown Christmas and its fun to see just how meaningful a cartoon can be and the things that go unnoticed when you are a kid watching them. Throughout the thirty minute video Charlie Brown is depressed throughout most of it. Why? Simply put he doesn’t understand Christmas and what it is all about. It seems like everyone to him has the “Spirit of Christmas” except him.
Within the cartoon the topic of commercialism and modernism keep coming up for what Christmas is about. There are scenes with Snoopy decorating his dog house for a contest, Charlie Brown’s sister asks him to write her letter to Santa, money is important to Lucy, and an aluminum tree is far better apparently than a real wooden one.
I giggle to myself because that is what it is like in America. Who can have the best decorations? How much money do you have to spend on gifts? Will I get all that I’ve asked for Christmas? And the fake tree is easier and better than a real one.
As the cartoon continues Charlie Brown becomes the director of a Christmas play and is sent out to find a tree, but he doesn’t want any of the “commercial racket” to be a part of this play. So he decides to get a wooden tree rather than the aluminum trees that “really bring people close to Christmas” as stated by Linus in a sarcastic manner after he hits one of the trees and a resounding loud clunk comes from it. They choose the wooden one because it doesn’t fit the “modern” stamina of Christmas. Once they return with the tree all the rest of the kids question about it and how Charlie Brown was supposed to get a good tree. He yells out in frustration and asks “is there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?”
Que Linus…”and tere in the same country sheperds keep watch over their flocks at night and low an angel of the Lord came to them and said to them, ‘Fear not for behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people! For unto you born this day in the city of David, a savior which is Christ the Lord and this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped up in swadaling clothes lying in a manger.’ Then 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 and good will towards men!’”
Without a word Charlie Brown picks up the tree and walks out with a smile on his face into the night. He looks up into the night sky while holding the tree and the words “Fear not for behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people!” are echoed inside his head. He continues his walk home and as he sees that Snoopy won first place he exclaims that “Commercialism won’t ruin my Christmas!”
He takes the tree and places a single red ornament on it. The little thing falls over and he is sad and frustrated and walks away. All the other kids had followed him and Linus being Linus says “I always liked that tree, I thought it was a good tree. All it needs is a little love…”
So why am I telling you about Charlie Brown? Because within in this classic Christmas story we can find truths about how we celebrate Christmas and take a look to see if we have lost all site to what it is we are truly celebrating. First, we get lost in the hubbub of all that is commercialism. Second, we need to break the norm and step out to take a look in. Lastly, the good news that is of Christmas isn’t winning first prize, or putting on the best play, rather its about the good news that is for all people.
We need to go back to the saying “less is more” because its true I have seen it and have lived it. The less that I have and spend on things, the more I ultimatly gain. This is because my selfish me-me-me attitude is gone and its more about how can I love on, share, and respect this person next to me. Its just why Jesus was sent, to show us that we are meant to serve and not to be served. To be willing to lay down our lives for another, and to accept his gift of eternal life.
So this Christmas from where ever you are celebrating it, remember that it isn’t all about the fluff, the perfectly wrapped gift, or even that light bulb you can’t seem to fix. Even when things aren’t perfect or go the way we plan this Christmas like Linus says “I always liked that tree, I thought it was a good tree. All it needs is a little love…” It’s about the audacious love given that night, wrapped in clothes, lying in a manger who was given for all people. So give less of the greedy me-me-me attitude and more of that audacious contagious love that is for all!
“‘Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace and good will towards men!’”
Merry Christmas everyone! 🙂
