Reflections

Reflections

My favorite literary figure of all time is (drumroll, please)…Charlie Brown. Yes, that Charlie Brown. If that suggests something about my intellectual sophistication, so be it.

I have always admired the innocence and vulnerability of that little boy. However, the relationship with my hero was cemented forever in New Orleans when I was cast in the lead role in the musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” I sang and danced( sort of!) my way into a forever relationship with that wise and wonderful child.

Thus it is that, in the midst of all the increasingly elaborate Christmas television extravaganzas  and the unending Hallmark holiday movies,  my all time favorite Christmas special on television is “A Charlie Brown’s Christmas”. I’m sure you remember the story: Charlie Brown is searching for the true meaning of Christmas, but with no success. His scrawny tree is the laughing stock of the neighborhood; his little sister, Sally, speaking for many, struggles to say what she looks forward to: “All I want is what I ha—-have coming to me…”; Lucy is no help, whatsoever, as Charlie Brown’s shrink, and only makes him feel so much worse about Christmas and himself.

Finally, when Charlie Brown is about to give up on ever understanding the real meaning of Christmas, Linus takes center stage, asks for a spotlight as the lights dim,  and with blanket in hand begins to recite words as if they are a perfectly normal thing for a small child to know by heart:

    “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not:’

Linus then purposely drops his security blanket.

   ‘For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.’”

There is a moment of silence as Linus  picks up his blanket and walks back toward Charlie Brown and quietly speaks, 

     “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Merry Christmas,  my dear Nativity Sisters and Brothers! 

 I pray that in the remembrance of our Lord’s birth we might behold the union of heaven and earth that the angels so joyfully announced.

Christmas Eve Schedule (Sunday, December 24)

5:15pm- Christmas music as prelude to worship

5:30pm- The Christ Mass: Holy Eucharist with Blessing of the Nativity; Special music led by the Nativity Chorus

7:00pm- Post-worship party at home of Margaret-Love Denman (212 Wood Street). RSVP appreciated! 662-202-5051.

See you Sunday (evening)!

Christmas Blessings and Peace,

Duncan

Dmgrayiii@gmail.com

(601)260-1937