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We had holiday traditions in my house growing up.

We’d decorate the tree together with mugs of piping hot chocolate awaiting us on tray tables.

We’d go Christmas caroling with the others kids from the neighborhood.

We’d all find our spot on the couch and tune into the one annual broadcast that was essential every December: A Charlie Brown Christmas.

I know this wasn’t just a staple in our home. In the 1950s, Peanuts Comics were among the most popular in the country. People loved, and continue to love, Charlie Brown. This year makes 55 years of Charlie Brown’s Christmas.

In an exasperated moment, he cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

What you might not know about this story is how it came into existence. How it aired for the first time on December 9, 1965 and was sponsored by Coca-Cola on CBS. How it was watched by half of America.

What you probably don’t know is that Charle Schulz, the creator of Charlie Brown, insisted that there be a driving force and purpose to this special. That it had to be about something and he wanted that something to be the true meaning of Christmas.

The producers of the show were uneasy, really questioning Schulz’s decision to include a biblical text in the story, but his response to their uneasiness was simply this, “If we don’t do it, who will?”

If you remember the story, Charlie Brown sets out to create a Christmas pageant but ends up being in way over his head. Everyone gets frustrated with him and he loses sight of the reason for the season.

Without hesitation, Linus comes forward and begins a recitation that has since been named as the most magical two minutes in all of TV animation history.

Now wait… there’s something even better here.

I want you to watch the 2-minute clip of Linus reading from the book. Focus, specifically, on when Linus says the words, “Fear not.” Do you notice anything happening?

It’s subtle.

You miss it if you don’t know to look for it.

Linus– for the first and only time in the history of his character– releases his grip on his sacred security blanket and lets it fall to the ground.

As he introduces the audience to the hope of Jesus, he lets go of the false security he was holding tight to and begins to use both his hands to narrate the story.

Schulz would tell you this was absolutely intentional… that Linus was always meant to drop his blanket at the moment he proclaims, “Fear not.”

I feel like this is a moment that needs no further explanation. It is simple yet meaningful. It is holy in its own way and I just want us to sit in that today, within a year that has held so much uncertainty.

There is something much better to cling to than our fears this season.

There is a reason to drop what we are clutching and hold tight to the better story.

READING

Luke 2:8-14

STEAL THIS PRAYER

Dear God, I want to drop the blanket. Help me to loosen the grip and just let go.