A Charlie Brown Christmas
When "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was aired for the first time forty years ago, 15.4 million viewers tuned in. This month, when it was re-aired, 15.3 million viewers watched. It is amazing that this movie is just as popular today as it was forty years ago. However, the special almost never happened. Schulz, Mendehlson, and Melendez broke the standard mold with this special. Rather than adult voices, they used the voices of children (Linus' voice is my favorite). There were no laugh tracks and there was jazz music written and performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio throughout the movie. CBS did not like this and did not think the viewers would either.
This Christmas movie is, I believe, the best Christmas special EVER made. By today's standards, it is not politically correct to even say "Merry Christmas", much less to talk about Jesus' birth. However, Schulz felt it was important to keep the real meaning of Christmas at the forefront. Throughout the movie, the characters are searching for the true meaning of Christmas. Finally, Linus stands up, and with his sweet little voice, recites from the King James Version of Luke 2.
“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 tidings of great joy, which shall be to all my 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, and good will toward men.’”
And that's the real meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown.
posted by gretchenjohnson @ 3:02 PM
3 Comments:
great post. we need to remember that Christ is the only thing to celebrate at Christmas. God becoming flesh is a very important topic in the Bible. Micah prophesies about this 500 years in advance. Isaiah, 700 years. It is also talked about in Galatians, Philippians, Hebrews, Matthew, Luke, and John. It is very important, regardless of what some people think.
I am amazed at how open Charles Schulz is in using Biblical references to his kids shows. I can't imagine cartoons today doing the same.
so put up a tree in your house, light it up, give presents to each other, hang mistletoe, play games,
and sing songs about our Savior's birth, all in moderation, as we remember the birth would be nothing without the death and resurrection! Glory to God!
it also has some of the best dance moves ever, incredible dancing
why is charlie brown's head so big? he must have incredible headaches... poor guy
Good Grief
World magazine just had an article talking about this and how the different Christmass movies do not speak about the birth of Christ...(Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life, etc). But, it did mention that Charlie Brown Christmas DOES. Yippee for your Peanutties.
:)
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