A Charlie Brown Christmas: 50 years of Joy and Hope

Family Security Matters

by KATIE KENNON

 

Who would have guessed the “War on Christmas” existed 50 years ago?

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ now a classic Christmas tradition, is celebrating 50 years of charming audiences. It is hard to believe this beloved Christmas special was originally thought to be a failure by the executive producer, director, and the CBS network. The executives thought the show would not work as a children’s Christmas program.

One main concern was that Linus’ reading from the Bible might turn people off. Hmm… that’s interesting considering the fact that the title of the show is ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ and Linus’ speech is the definition of Christmas.

Fortunately, Peanuts’ creator Charles Schulz insisted on leaving that scene in the TV show. ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ was a hit, and almost 50% of all TV-owning families tuned in to watch it that first night of airing in 1965. To the great surprise of the executives of the show, viewers and critics alike praised the show.

The show became so popular that it has been broadcasted every year since. That is quite an accomplishment, especially considering that these days our country seems to spend more and more effort on a war against Christmas. A few weeks ago, President Obama, talking about the characters in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ said, “They teach us that tiny trees just need a little love, and that on this holiday we celebrate peace on Earth and goodwill toward all,” as Mrs. Obama chimed in, “Because as Linus knows, that’s what Christmas is all about.” Sorry Mr. President and Mrs. Obama but you should know that Christmas is about Christ. Sure, Charlie Brown’s tree is tiny and needs love, but that is NOT the point of the show. The point is, and always will be, Christ.

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ is a much-needed respite from the increasing secularism of the country. It reminds us that, even in this crazy world, it is possible for some things to remain the same. The message of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ remains the same. Yes, giving and receiving are also part of the Christmas season. It is not a crime to look forward to shopping and finding deals, baking cookies and putting decorations up. But, in the midst of all this, we cannot forget why we are doing all these things. It is because we are celebrating the birth of baby Jesus.

Just like Charles Schulz, we should make sure we convey the true meaning of Christmas because the message of the Gospel is one we all need to hear.

“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 unto 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)

Works Cited

• http://www.nationalreview.com/article/284093/gospel-according-peanuts-lee-habeeb

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University of Tennessee Faculty Bigots Want to Abolish Christmas

Independent Sentinel

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville recently issued guidelines for employees to ensure their holiday party isn’t a Christmas party in disguise. Public officials are looking into this and demanding action.

Abolishing Christmas doesn’t make a place more inclusive, it excludes the majority of Americans. Inclusive would be a holiday party that also recognizes other cultures. That aside, the real problem here is a university telling staff what they can and cannot do during a legal national holiday.

I have an idea, why don’t they just butt out?

A HuffPo article began with this byline, Conservatives can’t stop freaking out about everything the University of Tennessee says or does. No, the liberals can’t stop freaking out when conservatives have an opinion or when people don’t like their freedom to even hold a holiday party and give cards taken away.

The statists at the university are encouraging employees to send non-denominational cards, use nondescript decor, and use food and beverages that do not appear to support a religion or culture.

Even the food! No Christmas or Dreidel cookies! This is beyond petty.

Leftists are not only totalitarian bigots, they’re no fun whatsoever.

And you know those fun Secret Santa games? Forget it. They want them obliterated also.

“Holiday parties and celebrations should not play games with religious and cultural themes — for example, ‘Dreidel’ or ‘Secret Santa.’ If you want to exchange gifts, then refer to it in a general way, such as a practical joke gift exchange or secret gift exchange,” the guidelines state.

College Fix reported that the list isn’t enforceable by the university.

 

“The university does not have an official policy regarding religious and culture decor or celebration in the workplace. However, we are fully committed to a diverse, welcoming and inclusive environment,” Lili’a Uili Neville, a spokeswoman for the university’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion, told the College Fix.

They may not have an official policy but they know that the staff would be afraid to do it now and they would be subject to problems from the first crank to complain.

“No one can ‘get in trouble’ if they choose not to use these best practices,” Neville continued. “They are an online resource for faculty and staff to review if they are interested in creating a more inclusive holiday environment within their departments and administrative units.”

They need to grow a backbone. Who says they are best practices?

According to the Tennessean, two state lawmakers, Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Dolores Gresham and Senate Government Operations Committee Chairman Mike Bell, are calling for the school’s chancellor to resign.

They need to get rid of the faculty too because they are in agreement with him.

“This is offensive to the vast majority of Tennesseans who help fund this university through their tax dollars,” Bell said in the email to the Tennessean. “We have lost confidence in Chancellor [Jimmy] Cheek’s ability to lead the state’s flagship university.”

Chancellor Jimmy Cheek speaks during the dedication of Peyton Manning Pass on the University of Tennessee campus on Friday, October 19, 2012. (Chad Greene/Special to the News Sentinel)

Fighting Back Against the War on Christmas

Moonbattery

Thanksgiving is over; now it’s time for Christmas. Here’s the spirit:

On a tip from Merchant of Venom.

Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion Continues

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Damon Vix didn’t have to go to court to push Christmas out of the city of Santa Monica. He just joined the festivities.

The atheist’s anti-God message alongside a life-sized nativity display in a park overlooking the beach ignited a debate that burned brighter than any Christmas candle.