A Charlie Brown Christmas

Let me go on record as saying that the soundtrack to the “A Charlie Brown Christmas” television special, that first aired in 1965, is the greatest television soundtrack ever. It has also, in my opinion, become the greatest Christmas album of all time, bar none. I love this record and it is a Christmas time must play around my house. It seems that I am not the only one who likes it as it really is a holiday classic and is a perennial best seller. Ironically, this jazz soundtrack was a source of concern for network executives who thought that it did not suite a children’s animated program. Apparently the sound track was not the only concern that they had. Along with concerns about the lack of a laugh track and the use of child voice actors, executives did not want the reciting of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke which is spoken by the character Linus: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2: 8-14) Charles Shultz (the Peanuts creator) was adamant to keep it in and is even reported to have said “If we don’t tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?” What a great thought for all of us who claim to follow Jesus Christ. The Christmas season will go on with or without us. It has become so big, so extravagant and so commercially important that it will continue to be a mainstay of North American culture for a long time, whether or not we recognize Jesus at the centre of it. And ironically, even for those who do believe in Jesus, it can be so busy and overwhelming that it distracts us from our relationship with Christ rather than being a celebration that helps us focus on Him. Let us first and foremost endeavour to keep Jesus at the centre of our Christmas celebrations this year, and then also remember that we are Christ’s ambassadors, and thus have the responsibility to tell others about what lays at the heart of this season. If we don’t tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will? As it turns out the television special, despite the executives' concerns, was a smash hit. It was a commercial and critical success, 50% of US televisions tuned in to watch it, and it won an Emmy and a Peabody award. And about the scripture reading...at least one critic, Harriet Van Horne of the New York World-Telegram, said, "Linus' reading of the story of the Nativity was, quite simply, the dramatic highlight of the season."