Though a Tree be Small

One of the benefits of being a prisoner of ice and snow is that you are forced to do one or more of a few things. You can catch up on housework, tend to some much needed washing and catch up on laundry, do some organizing....or you can delve into some reading, writing and watch some good movies. Hmmmm, work or the arts? Well I can thank my jailor for the much appreciated afternoon of research, writing, and taking in a favorite classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. But in this year's feasting of Linus and his blanket, Lucy and her authoritarian mannerisms, Charlie Brown's efforts to pull off the perfect Christmas play, and the ever iconic Peanuts gang dance, frocked with unforgettable dance moves, my son Bryan picked up on a bit of symbolism we had been missing all of these years.     With much anticipation Charlie Brown and Linus venture out to get the perfect tree for the play they are putting on for Christmas. The expectations from his friends are high, and he is excited about being the director. Here is his big chance to prove to them that, despite failing at almost everything he tries, he can do this and make them proud.     After looking at so many varieties of trees of all shapes and sizes, they happen upon a straggly, small shrub of a tree that looks as if it is on its last leg. Charlie Brown, good ol' soft hearted kid that he is, has compassion for this tree. Maybe it reminds him of how many times he feels beaten and down, and he wants to take it and give it a chance. You all know how this goes; he takes the tree back and receives a raucous round of laughter from the other kids. In his frustration and humiliation he cries out, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" Enter Linus, the voice of reason who always puts things into perspective. After Linus tells the story of the nativity, Charlie is moved with emotion and takes his tree with him on a contemplative walk. Pausing by Snoopy's fine, award winning, decorated dog house, Charlie takes one of the ornaments and hangs it on the tree, causing the only good branch it has to fall over. He is crushed, thinking he has killed it.     Having followed him, the rest of the kids see what happened and Linus begins to talk about how it really isn't such a bad tree and just needs a little love. Their perspective is changed and they work together as a group in a united effort to beautify and uplift this tree. When Charlie Brown sees it his confidence is renewed and all is well...that is until in some future episode Lucy will talk him into kicking the football again, which we all know will happen.     One of the reasons I love the work of Charles Schultz is that he put standards and values in everything he produced, and he was not afraid to include the message of Christ. What my son noticed this year is the symbolism of the tree Charlie Brown chose. All of the kids were expecting a huge tree, something mighty and impressive. When he came with the simple, humble tree they laughed at him and then rejected it, until later when they worked together to beautify it, but that didn't happen until one voice, (Linus), brought their minds and hearts back in balance, reminding them of what Christmas is all about; love, the pure love of Christ.     It was the same when Christ came. The people were expecting a mighty king, a man of great status and a warrior who would deliver them from oppression. A great many rejected him because he was not what they expected.     What I also noticed was the symbolism of the kids getting together after Linus has told the true meaning of Christmas, conveying it is not really a bad tree, it just needs love. It only takes one voice in a crowd of many to turn hearts around. This is a good time of year for us all to remember to use our voice when we see it is needed, and lift one another at all times. The pure love of Christ indeed was a small arrival, in a humble manger, surrounded by poor shepherds, a mother blessed among women, and her husband who most valiantly and lovingly raised Jesus Christ. He was not the mighty king many expected but he wrought a mighty work meant to change the hearts of mankind, saving us all in the process.     Merry Christmas to all. Be safe, know that you are loved, and if this time of year is a sad time for you then my prayers are with you in hopes that your heart will heal and you may find peace. God Bless.