I ran across this Charlie Brown and Linus story this week and thought I’d share it with you.
“Even though Charles Schulz died on February 12, 2000 (the same day his last comic strip was published), his animated classic continues to air each Christmas season. A Charlie Brown Christmas was first shown in 1965 and became an instant hit. Included in this televised tradition is that unforgettable sequence where Charlie Brown cries out, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" In response, Linus walks to center stage, signals for a spotlight, and then recites from Luke chapter 2. Once he finishes quoting the record of Jesus' birth, Linus says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." The scene was resisted and producers cautioned against it, but Charles Schulz was relentless. He stood his ground and said, "If not us, then who's going to do it?" As a result, that clear statement about Christmas stayed in the show and continues to demand a prominent place on network television every holiday season. What Charles Schulz said four decades ago about his program needs to be repeated often among Christians when addressing the issue of evangelism: "If not us, then who's going to do it?"
This Christmas season may be the time for the church to have a greater awareness of the need of sharing the story of Christmas and the joy of Jesus with someone. What a great reminder of a timeless truth… If not us, then who's going to do it? See you Sunday as we fellowship together around the Throne of God.
Mike
