My favorite Christmas show since childhood is A Charlie Brown Christmas. I have watched it every year since I was 5 years old. When Linus begins to explain the true meaning of Christmas, I feel like I am standing in that field with the shepherds, trembling at the sight and sound of the angel of the Lord. It still captivates me as it did the first time I ever heard it. Is it the soft, soothing voice of the little boy, Linus, or is it the message in his words? Both. The message is
simple yet powerful. The words speak truth in a way that even a child can understand.
Charlie Brown is frustrated because his friends laughed him to scorn over the little, wimpy tree he chose for the Christmas play. In his frustration, he yells, ‘Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Then Linus recites the true meaning of Christmas found in Luke 2:8-14.
“And there were 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. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:8-14 KJV
That was the birth announcement of the Messiah. The angels and the heavenly host were celebrating the birth of our Savior, celebrating hope for all humanity. The first Christmas present was the Holy Child, Jesus. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this in the Old Testament.
“The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. That is to say, God with us.” Isaiah 7:14 KJV
That Holy Child came to take away our sins. He came to ransom us, to redeem us, and to restore us back to Him. He came to give us life, an abundant life. In reality, He came to die in our place.
He went to the cross and carried our sins. He went to the cross because He loves us. All humanity has a choice: life or death. Choose life! What a gift! Eternal life.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 KJV
After the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, He appeared to his disciples many times before his ascension. On the day of his ascension, he stood with them, and they asked him a question.
“When the disciples were come together, they asked of him, ‘Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?’ And he said unto them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel which also said, ‘Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.'” (Acts 1)
It is the greatest story ever told. It is the greatest gift ever given. The true meaning of Christmas is Jesus. He is the reason for this season. I can’t think about his birth without thinking about his death. He came to this earth to die for us, all of us. No greater love will ever be found. No greater love story will ever be written.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
May the true meaning of Christmas burn within you this season. Go tell someone, just as Linus told his friend, Charlie Brown.
“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.”
Dana Hill
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#danahillblogs