Releasing security at Christmas… a Linus story

I saw this post on social media and couldn’t help but be moved by it. I did some research to find out if it’s “true,” and couldn’t fact check it. But I offer it to you to ponder and enjoy.

In 1965, Charles Schulz, a devout Christian and creator of the Peanutscomic strip, was asked to create a Christmas special for CBS featuring the Peanuts Characters. He agreed with one requirement, that they allow him to include the story of the birth of Jesus. Although the stations executives were hesitant and tried to convince him otherwise, Schulz was insistent. As a result, for the past 50 plus years, millions of people have watched and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and heard the story of Jesus and “what Christmas is all about.”

It wasn’t until a few years back that I realized a “hidden message” in the film. Linus, a child who seems to have some insecurities as he carries a security blanket with him at all times. In fact, Linus NEVER drops his blanket, except once….

While sharing the message of “what Christmas is all about,” Linus drops his blanket at the exact moment he says the words, “fear not!”

In this seemingly innocent moment, Linus delivers a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. We are to “fear not”, for Jesus is born. We needn’t rely on material things for security, we have God with us, “Immanuel”, (Matthew 1:23) Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior – the true meaning of Christmas.

Another writer said commented about this moment (at :39 on the video):

Looking at it now, it is pretty clear what Charles Schultz was saying, and it’s so simple it’s brilliant.

The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears.

The birth of Jesus frees us from the habits we are unable (or unwilling) to break ourselves.

The birth of Jesus allows us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping so tightly, and learn to trust and cling to Him instead.

This world can be a scary place, and most of us find ourselves grasping to something temporal for security, whatever that thing may be. Essentially, ours is a world in which it is very difficult for us to “fear not.” ^[1]Just Drop the Blanket: The Moment You Never Noticed in A Charlie Brown Christmas, by Jason Soroski (Crosswalk: Updated December 21, 2022)

But that’s not the whole story. Because after Linus delivers his monologue of Luke 2, he picks the blanket back up. Is he reclaiming his own measure of security all over again?

Why would Linus pick that old security back up after so boldly proclaiming an end to fear? Why does he leave the stage with that security blanket still in his hand?

We first must realize that we all carry that same blanket.

Just like Linus, we may stand tall in a moment of faith and conviction, a moment when Scripture hidden in our heart comes to life, and all else is flung aside as we experience and proclaim the true freedom and security that only Jesus can give.

But at some point, out of habit, we reach down and pick that thing right back up. Faith, while powerful, is also delicate. ^[2]Drop the Blanket 2: The Rest of Linus’s Story from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Jason Soroski (Crosswalk: December 3, 2021)

That’s not where Schultz has the story ending, however. It gets better.

You may recall that Charlie Brown proudly finds a tree. When Charlie Brown selected the tree, it seems he saw himself in the little tree’s unimpressiveness. He brings it to Snoopy’s doghouse, and attempts to decorate it. It can’t support the weight of a single ornament. Charlie Brown walks off, dejected, perhaps feeling that just as the tree can’t bear any weight, neither can he…

But then the profound moment happens…. Linus lays his blanket down again. This time, he wraps it around the base of the tree. Watch.

Especially note at 2:05 in the video.

And just like, Linus surrenders his security for someone else. What he’s clung to is now offered to another. And in doing so, joy is spread.

Notice also how the kids hum “O Christmas Tree” but when Charlie Brown shows back up, bewildered in the transformation of his tree, he is greeted with, “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!”

“With this new focus, the kids instead slide effortlessly into “Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the Newborn King,” and what we are now witnessing is essentially an impromptu worship service. ^[3]Ibid.

Charles Schultz was a genius.

Here, the message of Christmas is on full display.

What was unimpressive and overlooked (a babe in a manger) is transformed (a King on a cross who rises again). When we lay down our security, placing it at the foot of that which appears unremarkable, a miracle happens. We obtain joy.

And we are able to sing, whereas before we were dejected, “Hark! The herald angels sing..” Before the angels sang, they proclaimed:

Then they sang:

May you find your joy and security in Jesus alone this Christmas!

For other Christmas posts:

• God the Includer (2015)
• Donald Duck and our Christmas tree (2015)
• Slow down, Christmas (2016)
• Four responses to Jesus at Christmas (2017)
• A Jesus Christmas (2017)
• I know him! (2018)
• Christmas sections (2019)
• I declare Christmas (2022)
• The Christmas iceberg (2022)