Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

                I want to be like Linus.  Let me explain. I am referring to Linus in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. What a delight! In this 25 minute TV cartoon movie Charlie Brown is saddened by the emptiness he feels at Christmas time. He tells Linus, “I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.”
                As I look each year at Christmas decorations I get the impression, whether true or not, that many people don’t know what Christmas is about. Now I love Christmas decorations. I love looking at the various ingenious and creative ways people decorate their yards and houses. I marvel at how much work they must have put into their decorations. I especially love Christmas lights. What a joy they are! So beautiful and enchanting!
                Yet there are so few decorations about the birth of Christ. A person visiting here from a country where Christmas is not celebrated would think the holiday had nothing to do with the greatest gift the world has ever known. They could drive through many neighborhoods and not see a single nativity scene.
                I guess part of the reason for this is it is so hard to find an outdoor nativity scene in a store. I had to go online to buy my nativity scene.
                Back to Charlie brown and Linus. Charlie Brown is so frustrated at Christmas time because he doesn’t know what Christmas is truly about. A lot of people feel this way. Studies show that when Christmas is over many people are left feeling depressed. Could much of this sadness be because so many people like Charlie Brown do not understand the true meaning of Christmas?
                Charlie Brown shouts, “Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus responds, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He quotes directly from Luke 2:8-14 in the Bible and tells him the story of Christ’s birth beginning with "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night…”
                This is what Christmas is truly about. Christ gives us such peace and joy we want everyone to know the Savior that was laid in the manger. That is why I only have one Christmas decoration in my yard. I want the focus to be on Christ alone.
                I have a simple all white manger scene with Joseph, Mary, and the infant Christ. I put a brilliant white spotlight on it. I live high up on a hill and it shines so brightly in the darkness! I want everyone to see the true light that shines in the darkness. That is what Christmas is really all about. I wish more Christians had manger scenes in their yard.
                Watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with your children or grandchildren is highly encouraged! Gloria! Have a blessed Christmas!

Pastor Pat