My mind has been wandering again. Reminiscing on Christmases
past (particularly one from about 25 years ago. More on that in a later entry) and other holiday thoughts. As I drive at night, I look at all the lights
and I've been listening to music and talks and articles all to get me in the
holiday spirit. Believe it or not, I really struggle with that. Getting in, and
keeping the Christmas spirit, I mean. I love Christmas. I really do. But for
some reason I also have a hard time. I love the lights especially. I love those
people who go MORE than all out. Once upon a time I wanted to be one of those
people. At our house we have lights up. Modest, but they're there. We have a ton of
decorations up inside the house though. There are reindeer, snowmen, Santas, elves, and a tree loaded with everything from Raggedy Ann to Derek Jeter, Rapunzel to
Captain America, and Tigger to Tron.
One thing that Ann has insisted on though is that there is
one room in our house where Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, and the Grinch are not
permitted. In this room there are mangers, stars, and wise men. There is also a
small Charlie Brown tree with a single red bulb. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking. “Hey,
Charlie Brown is the same as Frosty or the Grinch.” But this tree is an unsung hero of the
Christmas season in my humble opinion,
and there is a great message to be learned from it. Charlie Brown is depressed
because he can't seem to feel the spirit of the season. (remind you of anyone?) He knows where it's NOT, but not where it IS.
His friends all seen to have the answers and even his dog Snoopy know what
Christmas time is for. Jingle Bells, lights, pageants, “win[ing] money, money,
money” and beautiful metal Christmas trees. Nothing seems to be working for him
(as usual) and so he goes to buy a nice tree to help set the mood. And he comes
back with the tree you all know.
Do you remember WHY he picks the tree he does?? "This little
tree needs me." He also says that it seems to need a home. So he buys the
little tree and brings it back to his friends and they immediately call him
stupid, and tell him what a blockhead he is for buying THAT tree. Charlie Brown
still thinks it can be a great tree. He sees what the tree can become. He sees
what no one else seems to be able to. He still doesn't know what that tree
needs, but he knows it needs something and he's going to do whatever he can for
it. He walks off with the tree and decides to decorate it. He decorates it with
a single red bulb and as soon as he does, it “dies”. Charlie Brown is crushed.
Then the story with the tree switches to Linus. Earlier in
the show his sister, Lucy, threatens to hit him if he doesn't get rid of his
blanket, but even under threat of bodily harm, he won't give it up. Now, when he sees the little tree needs love,
he gives up the one thing in the world that means the very most to him. The
thing he loves above all other things. And he does it almost instantly and
without any thought or prodding. When he gives the tree THAT kind of love, it's
able to not only support the one red bulb, but it truly becomes what it's meant to
be. All of a sudden, everyone sees the tree as it is truly meant to be. I think
there is a great deal of symbolism in that little moment. Because of that
little tree, not only does Charlie Brown find the meaning of Christmas, but all his
friends do as well.
Instead of focusing on what they WANTED, Charlie Brown and
Linus focused on someone's [the tree’s] NEEDS. Charlie Brown sees that the tree
can be beautiful and Linus realizes what it needs to become that way. Maybe we
should celebrate Christ’s birth the way he LIVED his life. Find someone that
has a need. Find someone that needs a little extra love. Find your own little
tree.
