Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree

One of my all-time Christmas favorites is Charles Schultz’s, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”  Into his little story about Charlie Brown and his friends, Schultz weaves the essence of the gospel message in some subtle and not so subtle ways. One of those messages comes through the little tree that Charlie Brown chooses to be their Christmas tree.

The other children, especially Lucy, want a big, beautiful, and aluminum Christmas tree. They want the glitz and the glamour of Christmas. They want something to show off—a tree that comes already put together.  But, as Charlie Brown and Linus go out looking for a tree, there’s one tree that catches Charlie Brown’s eye. It’s a little tree that is anything but glitz and glamour.  In fact, it’s quite pathetic looking.  Linus is pretty hesitant about getting that tree, for he knows what the others are going to say.  But, Charlie Brown responds by saying, “I think it needs me.” 

Of course, Charlie Brown does get chastised for picking the worst Christmas tree of all.  And, after some name-calling he ends up feeling dejected and stupid.  But then something incredible happens. After Linus speaks up and shares the real Christmas story and thereby the true meaning of Christmas, the hearts of the kids are changed and eventually they take Charlie Brown’s little Christmas tree and decorate it into a tree of beauty. When Charlie Brown comes back on the scene he can’t believe his eyes!  His little Christmas tree has been transformed!

The story reminds me that, when Jesus came into our world, he didn’t run after the bold and the beautiful nor the rich and the famous. Jesus didn’t look for those who had it all together. Jesus went after those who were broken, lost, rejected, and sick.  Jesus came looking for the Charlie Brown Christmas trees of our world saying in so many words, “I think they need me.”  And, we did! 

By the time Jesus was done with those to whom he had ministered, the broken were whole, the lost were found, the rejected had found acceptance, the sick were healed, and most of all, sinners were forgiven. Those whose lives had been quite pathetic experienced a total transformation at the hands of Jesus.

Jesus said of himself and his ministry, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:4-5 – NIV)  Jesus came looking for those who needed him and did for them what no one else would or could do for them. 

If today you are feeling a bit like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, I want to tell you Jesus came especially for you. He’s not asking for you to have it all together, but to simply to allow him to step into your life. He knows you need him.   And this Christmas he is still more than able and willing to transform your life into one of incredible beauty!

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris