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Christmas in 1965 and Today |
2008-11-25 |
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Part of our tradition includes watching famous Christmas movies at our house. A “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and “White Christmas,” are three that we never miss in December. All three have messages about real value and real gifts in life.
While putting up the Christmas tree, we started off with “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which first aired in 1965. Charlie is not feeling happy about Christmas coming, and is worried that something might be wrong with him because of his lack of happiness. Charlie Brown begins to see all the trappings of Christmas, but can’t seem to get into the right Christmas spirit. He finally finds it when Linus recites part of Luke’s gospel announcing the birth of Christ as a baby in Bethlehem.
Charles Schultz’s message is clear: we must not fall prey to commercialism, but work hard to keep our focus on Jesus coming to be with us to save us from our sin. Timely message for us! But the movie was first released when I was a kindergarten student.
I was thinking about 1965, the year the movie was made. My recollection of Christmas was lots of family, dozens of Christmas cookies, making Christmas gifts out of construction paper and glue, snowy days spent outside, the Christmas program at church and attending Christmas Eve worship. I wonder if we thought Christmas was getting too commercial then. I wonder if Charles Schultz’s message seemed like a silly warning in 1965…
I don’t remember so many events in my childhood that my family was rarely home, my parents being stressed out, exotic Christmas locations for families in warmer climates, big ticket gift items, etc.
Am I being nostalgic? Where did we get off track? When did our abundant lifestyles crowd out the things I treasure the most of Christmas’ past? I wonder if we thought Christmas was getting too commercial then. Either way you slice it, we have come down the commercial road a “pretty fer piece, I’d say”. How did we make the most precious gift a mere sideline, or even worse, a kitschy, sentimental moment? We have certainly lost more than we have gained. What kind of heritage do we leave to children? What gifts of real value can we give in an even more seemingly uncertain world?
I think Charles Schultz gets it right when Linus takes the stage and proclaims the real gift:
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14
May you know the gifts of faith, hope and love this season. We look forward to proclaiming the good news among you each Sunday this advent. Bring the kids….it might not be as much fun as opening a ton of pricey gifts, but I can guarantee they are gifts that will last a lifetime!
See you in church---
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Summer: starting Memorial Day Weekend
9:00 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
10:00 am Coffee and Fellowship
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm
Winter: starting after Labor Day
8:30 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
9:35 am Educational Hour
9:35 am Coffee and Fellowship
10:45 am Worship Service
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm |
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401 South Flynn Drive
Milbank SD 57252
605.432.5566 |
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