When I sat down to write a Christmas time blog, it was to be about the specific topic that follows. Without seeking it out, an article from "Christian Living" by Jason Soroski landed in my inbox. I have adapted it for the purpose of this blog. Hope you enjoy it.
Last December, 2015, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” aired on national primetime television for the 50th time. In a world where the latest, greatest technology is outdated in a matter of months, and social media trends come and go in a matter of days, 50 years of anything is quite meaningful.
In the “production,” Linus recites Luke 2:8–14 so beautifully. Then a very important thing occurs, which I never noticed for years.
Right in the middle of speaking, Linus "drops the blanket."
Charlie Brown is best known for his uniquely striped shirt and Linus is most associated with his ever-present security blanket. Throughout the story of Peanuts, Lucy, Snoopy, Sally and others, all try to no avail to separate Linus from his blanket. And even though his security blanket remains a major source of ridicule for the otherwise mature and thoughtful Linus, he simply refuses to give it up, …until this moment. When he simply drops it.
In that climactic scene when Linus shares what “Christmas is all about,” he drops his security blanket, and the most telling thing is the specific moment he drops it. It occurs when he speaks the words, “fear not.” It's almost like a "mic drop;" the key line is spoken and the mic drops.
Take a look at the following clip, specifically at :34 seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA
It’s pretty clear what Charles Schulz was saying through this, and it’s so simple that it’s brilliant.
- The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears.
- The birth of Jesus frees us from the habits we are unable or unwilling to break ourselves.
- The birth of Jesus allows us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping so tightly, and learn to trust and cling to Him instead.
The world of 2016-2017 can be a scary place, and most of us find ourselves grasping something temporal for security, whatever that thing may be. Essentially, this is a world in which it is very difficult for us to “fear not.”
But in the midst of fear and insecurity, this simple cartoon image from 1965 continues to live on as an inspiration for us to seek true peace and true security in the one place it has always been and can always still be found.
God who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him (Christmas) up for us all--how will He not also, along with Jesus, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
So, go ahead and trust God. Go ahead and “fear not.” Go ahead and drop the blanket.