Merry Christmas, Holy Family. The holiday season can bring out a range of emotions, from the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge to Snoopy and Buddy the Elf. However, remember the real reason for the season is found in Linus and his response to the screams of frustration from his friend Charlie Brown:
Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.
Luke 2:10
Realizing that he doesn't have to let commercialism ruin his own Christmas, at the tree lot Charlie Brown finds a small sapling that, ironically, is the only real tree among the many fakes. Charlie Brown is convinced that once decorated, the little tree will be just right. When they return, Lucy and the others scorn Charlie Brown's choice and walk away laughing at him. In despair, he loudly asks if anyone knows what Christmas is all about. Linus says
he
knows and walks to center stage. Under a spotlight, Linus quotes the gospel of Luke, in which angels from heaven tell a group of initially frightened shepherds of the birth of the baby Jesus, and then when finished quietly says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
“
In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night. An
angel
of the
Lord
stood over them and the
glory
of the
Lord
shone round them. They were terrified, but the
angel said, 'Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is
Christ
the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you
will
find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and
lying
in a manger.' And all at once with the
angel
there was a great throng of the hosts of heaven, praising
God
with the words: Glory to
God
in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours. (Luke 2:8-14)
Mr. Aubert
