Friday; December 24

I have never been a big fan of the Charlie Brown movies and television shows. I liked the Peanuts comic strip, but I think that a half hour of the mishaps of Charlie Brown is just too much. This is even true of the 1965 classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. Maybe I’m not deep enough to fully appreciate the essence of the show; but there are a couple parts of the show that I really enjoy. Vince Guaraldi’s music is wonderful, but I think my favorite part is when Linus helps Chuck and his friends understand the true meaning of Christmas. Linus’ voice reading from Luke 2 is an important memory from my childhood and continues to be one of my favorites today. Voices like James Earl Jones have always impressed me, but the one I remember most fondly might be Christopher Shea reading, “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 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 Saviour, 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). Sometimes out of the mouths of babes comes incredible words!
From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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