Have you watched A Charlie Brown Christmas? It’s a personal favorite to watch every holiday season. I thought I might use this 1965 classic to remind us of what Christmas is really all about.

All throughout the episode, Charlie Brown and his friends consistently misunderstand Christmas. At one point, Charlie Brown looks over at his friend Linus and says, “I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about.” Then in desperation he shouts, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!” Linus calmly answers him, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” As Linus steps forward onto the stage he begins reciting his part in the Christmas play, taken from Luke 2.

Linus: “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 so afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto 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 Savior, 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.’”

After a brief pause, Linus walks back to his friend and softly says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Let’s all remember why we are celebrating this holiday season. We are celebrating the incarnate Word of God. Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel, meaning “God with us”. Remember, Jesus meets our greatest need. One day this baby boy would die in our place. He would go on to bear our sin and shame and pay the penalty, receiving the full wrath of God.

At Back to DC this year, I challenged our students to consider these words: Christ Jesus experienced God the judge so that we might experience God the Father. That is truly what Christmas is all about, friends.

From all of us at the TeenPact Office —

Merry Christmas!

May you be blessed with the warm fellowship of family and the revelation of the freedom that Jesus has bought for you. It’s truly the greatest news of joy to the world.

Not pictured: Anna Montgomery, Paul Martin