Merry Christmas everyone! Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!
This year I watched A Charlie Brown Christmas for the first time in many years. It brought back good childhood memories of my family watching the show in our living room with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. I guess pandemic life put me in the perfect mood. Then, I wondered how Charlie Brown would have done in the pandemic. Charlie Brown is a somewhat depressed character, but his friends always come through to pick up his spirits and show him the way. That’s certainly what his friend Linus does. Although the selected Christmas tree for the party is not the most spectacular, it becomes a true Christmas tree when the real reason for Christmas is proclaimed. When looking at the sad-looking tree, Linus says “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.” Linus then proclaims the real meaning of Christmas:
“For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” He then turns to his friend and says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
Friends, this is the message that is meant for each of us on Christmas day 2020. The only thing that makes Christmas spectacular and grand is the very love of God in our lives. The love that gives us today, in each of our unique lives, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
May this truth be fully received by you as your greatest gift this year!
Blessings for Christmas!
Fr. David Mulholland
Pastor,
Tacoma Catholic Parishes of St. Patrick & Holy Cross & St. Rita of Cascia
