Favorite Christmas Shows Countdown: #4 A Charlie Brown Christmas

#4: A Charlie Brown Christmas

There aren’t many Christmas specials which are almost universally beloved by all, and I know that there are a few people out there who, for various reasons, will make an effort to not like A Charlie Brown Christmas, but for me, it has always been a timeless classic, to watch, and enjoy each year.

I suppose it’s the simplicity of the story, how it’s told in a half hour format, and yet, at the same time, is true to the meaning of Christmas and how that meaning has been deluded over the years. It’s amazing, really, to know that these were the themes that were being discussed back in 1965 when the special was first made, and they’re still being debated today.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a collection of a bunch of different stories all rolled into one. It begins with its namesake, Charlie Brown being depressed at Christmas. He wants to celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense but when he does, he’s still depressed. (For what it’s worth, I can relate).

At any rate, Lucy ropes him into being the director of the school Christmas play, and in doing so, Charlie Brown is determined to make the play get to the true meaning of Christmas, but neither he, nor most of his cast really know what that is. They go through the motions of course, and say their standards lines and parts, but it is missing something.

So finally, Charlie Brown decides that the play needs a Christmas tree. He and Linus go out to find one, and when they do, they see nothing but large, absurdly decorated, trees colored anything but green. However, in the midst of all of that, they find one which is little more than a collection of twigs and Charlie Brown determines it is the most worthy of their money and attention.

Naturally all the kids make fun of Charlie Brown for his simplistic view, and he gets more depressed. After being exasperated and at his wits end, he finally laments “ISN”T THERE ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT?”

Linus takes this opportunity to step up, and recites this passage from Luke 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 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 and goodwill towards men.'”

“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown”

Afterward Charlie Brown decides to take the tree home and decorate it, and even later, all the kids show up as well.

It’s kind of amazing, and a bit odd, to find a children’s Christmas special taking so much time being a critique on how modern people have devalued the true meaning of Christmas over the years. After all, Peanuts is a marketing empire as anything else, and still the show made an effort to get to the true meaning. I watched a special about the making of Charlie Brown Christmas recently, and they mention that at first, the network didn’t want the use of the Bible passage to be in the show, but creator Charlie Schultz was adamant that it be used. He remarked “If we don’t do it, then who will?”

Indeed. It’s a sad commentary on modern times, even as far back as 1965, and still it remains as prudent today as ever before.

I love the intermix between all the characters throughout, especially the dog, Snoopy’s scenes which are classic. I also love how the scores from jazz composer Vince Guaraldi have become staples to listen to an enjoy each year. In fact, Guaraldi’s theme for the show, Linus and Lucy became, for all intents and purposes, the overall theme for the Peanuts cartoons in general.

Simply put, there is no better children television Christmas special, or television Christmas special period. A Charlie Brown Christmas is classic, timeless, and like a fine wine, or good woman, gets better with each passing year. This one existed long before my time, and will exist, I imagine, long after I’m gone. It’s just that good.