A Charlie Brown Christmas, by Charles Schultz celebrated its 50th anniversary on December 1, 2015. If the television producers, however, would have prevailed in the drama behind the scenes, it may not have aired at all. Lee Mendelson, the executive producer of CBS network remembers the response when network executives first viewed the rough cut in November of 1965. They hated the show for two reasons: “It was slow” and “You can’t read the Bible on network television.”
Thankfully, Schultz won the battle. The simple cartoon, which intentionally embraced the true meaning of Christmas and invites viewers to turn away from materialism, had an astounding audience of 50 percent in the first year. It went on to win both an Emmy and a Peabody award. Pop Culture experts today confirm that it is now an icon and that its strength is its back to the basics approach. (cited from Bill Nichols, USA Today, “The Christmas Classic that almost wasn’t”)
This Christmas, I invite you to come back to the basics. Take time to read the second chapter of Luke this month and savor the timeless words of promise:
“For to you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
Friends, Jesus is not a dusty, dead character from history. He is a living Savior who has been born for you: One who wants to save you from your grief, your broken relationships, your worry and anxiety and fill you with peace, the peace the angels announced that first Christmas over the town of Bethlehem:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven…..and peace on earth.”
Come back to the basics this Christmas; come and worship our newborn King.
Peace,
Pastor Cathy