As Christians discuss the “war on Christmas,” and we send Christmas cards to the ACLU, one of the things that continues to amaze me every year is that one absolutely Christ-centered television special continues to air year after year (for which I am tremendously grateful).

Originally airing on December 9, 1965, Charles Shulz’ A Charlie Brown Christmas won the Emmy that year for Best Animated Special and also won the Peabody award for excellence in programming. It has become one of the most watched holiday specials of all time. In fact, it has become the longest running animated special in history, airing every single year since its debut (though it has been altered slightly to remove the explicit references to the original sponsor, Coca Cola). While specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman also continue to air, neither are quite as controversial as Schulz’ masterpiece.

Apparently, getting the special aired in the first place was no easy task. Not only did the network officials think the show was “boring,” they were also uncomfortable with its explicitly “religious” overtones. Officials also complained that Schulz refused to allow a laugh track accompany the show. He wanted the audience to come to their own conclusions about when to laugh. Schulz insisted that the characters be played by actual children (one of whom was not even old enough to read!), most of whom were not professional actors, and Schulz’ choice of the Vince Guaraldi jazz as opposed to children’s music was also a point of contention. However, to the surprise of everyone (most likely even including Schulz), the show was an immediate hit, scoring both critical and commercial success. According to Wikipedia, “A full 50% of the televisions in the United States were tuned to the broadcast.” It is estimated that the debut was viewed by approximately 15 million homes.

The special chronicles the struggles of the Peanuts gang to put together a Christmas pageant including a nativity scene. Overwhelmed with the business and commercialism that seems to have overtaken (It’s run by a big Eastern syndicate, you know notes Linus), Charlie Brown struggles to find the true meaning of Christmas.

As in many of the episodes, Linus becomes the voice of reason and wisdom. Mounting the stage, blanket in hand, Linus quotes nearly (if not) verbatim from the King James Version of Luke 2:8-14, leaving no doubt that he is presenting Christ as the true meaning of Christmas. As Wikipedia notes, “Linus’ reading from Luke, which caused the network executives such worry, produced one of the most widely cherished moments in the special.” As if there is any doubt regarding Schulz’ intention, the program closes with Charlie Brown, Linus and the rest of the gang singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing, with a subtle volume increase to emphasize the line “God and sinners reconciled!” The show draws heavily on the implications of Christ’s birth for inter-personal relations; that Christ brought with Him, Peace on Earth, Good-will towards men which applies to us all, even an outsider like Charlie Brown.

What’s so amazing about this is that it seems highly unlikely that any new program voicing such an explicitly Christian theme would be broadcast by any of the major media outlets. And yet, there it is, year after year. One has to wonder how long it will continue to air. It seems odd that organizations such as the ACLU reject nativity scenes while allowing a significant portion of Scripture detailing the birth of the Messiah to be read repeatedly on national television, albeit, by a blanket-toting cartoon character (and remember, the show does include a nativity scene!). Do the men and women of the ACLU have a soft spot for Charlie Brown too?

The movie has become a holiday tradition in our home. My wife and I have watched it together every year of our married life. Now that we have children it takes on added significance to know that such a significant part of American popular culture also brings with it the “true meaning” of Christmas.

Learn about A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Internet Movie Database.
Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Listen to A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Read A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Read the Wikipedia Charlie Brown Christmas entry.
Read the story of the making of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Take the Charlie Brown Christmas quiz.