Charlie Brown

I've noticed a disturbing trend in the last few days...a lack of Christmas Spirit. It seems that conditions are less than perfect for encouraging the Christmas Spirit. For some, this means all of the correct people are not in place, for others this means the weather is not cooperating with dreams of snowy white Christmases and for others it seems like just a general spirit of ennui. It's all very Charlie Brown-esque.

I will freely admit the Christmas spirit has almost illuded me this season too. On this first day of winter, my car registered 75 degrees and the day was overcast and muggy. I don't know as though we've had any 'cold, crisp' days this year. I love singing and, due to a nasty cold, have not been able to sing since Thanksgiving. There has been no caroling for me, no singing along with Bing and The Andrews Sisters and no duets with Ella Fitzgerald. Our tree has been a bit of a disappointment as well. It looked gorgeous when we first brought it home, but with 3 days until Christmas the bottom branches are drooping and nearly bare of all needles. What a Charlie Brown Christmas, indeed!

But then I look at my own little Linus (aka Jackson) and see the light in his eyes as he looks at our tree with joy and wonder, as he explains Christmas to his baby brother and as he daily dictates his "what I know about Jesus" entries for his Advent calendar. I am reminded of what Linus tells Charlie Brown, "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.' That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."

Indeed, that is what, and WHO, Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas!