Charlie Brown is a bit jaded and confused about the commercialism of Christmas. The child psychologist, Lucy, tells him she has just the thing to get him in the Christmas spirit. He is urged to direct the children’s Christmas pageant. He agrees but is soon frustrated at the cast’s seemingly lack of attention. The members of the cast decide that what is needed to bring them into focus is a Christmas tree. So, Charlie Brown is sent out to procure one. Arriving at the tree lot, he passes up rows of perfectly symmetrical aluminum ones, as he knocks on one and hears a hollow, metallic clang.

Isn’t that like some people at Christmas, hallow and empty inside? Finally, he is satisfied as he selects the only wooden tree left - a short scraggly tree, sparse in foliage, but strong in character. He lifts it up and hits it on the ground with several of the needles falling to the ground. “This is the one!” he proudly announces as he picks it up and carries it home. When all the children see Charlie Brown’s scraggly Christmas tree, they all laugh hilariously, even Snoopy.

When all the children leave, Charlie Brown asks out loud, “What is the meaning of Christmas anyway?” Linus replies, “I’ll tell you what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” Linus then proceeds to recount the Christmas story.

“And 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 good 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.’...” (Luke 2:8-11)

Charlie Brown discovered the reason for the season is Jesus. As the angel announced to humble shepherds out on the hills of Bethlehem that a Savior was born, we must not forget that message was for us also. “For unto you is born this day... a Savior.”

When my children were young, we started what has become a Christmas tradition. One year after being sent on a mission to procure a Christmas tree, I came across an almost vacated tree lot with a painted sign which read, “Free Trees.” I picked up one of the scraggly balsam trees and took it home. The tree, though sparse and lacking in branches, had character. It represented to me what Christmas is all about. Needless to say, I was demoted as the official tree cutter as my family viewed the scraggly tree. From that year on, my wife always sent my children to chaperone me, as each year we went to a tree farm to cut a live tree. It became a ritual which, until my oldest son moved away, could take up to an hour out in the cold, freezing weather to select the “right tree.” I still identify with Charlie Brown as I reflect back on that scraggly Christmas tree. That tree was “free” for the taking. As that tree was, the Gospel is “free.” We can’t buy it. God pours abundant, overflowing grace into the world and we need only to accept it.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

That scraggly Christmas tree reminds me that Jesus died on an old wooden cross for our sins. It was not a pretty tree, but one stained with the blood of God’s Son. This babe in Bethlehem came to die as our sacrifice, as our Savior.

John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”

At the conclusion of their Christmas pageant, Charlie Brown took his Christmas tree and carried it outside where he gazed into the starry sky. As we look up at the vastness of God’s universe, it reminds us of the greatness of our Creator and His love for us. Even though the earth is just a speck in His immense universe, He loves and knows each of us individually.

God desires each of us to have Christmas 365 days a year. We must take the cross with us outside, everywhere we go. Is He not Immanuel, God with us? The Cross of Christ has the power to crucify self and sin in our life. Jesus said, “...If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

Some people look with fear and anxiety to the year 2000. Some worry about the downward moral spiral of society, our growing dependency on technology, and continuing wars and catastrophes around the globe. How can we not worry about these things? How can we enter the new millennium with hope?

“I’ll tell you what the meaning of Christmas is Charlie Brown.” In the midst of fear and anxiety, God gives abundant grace and peace through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Everyday, but especially at Christmas time, we need to receive these gifts of God’s grace and peace through the Lord Jesus Christ.