Good Morning!
Last night Linda and I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas. I know most of you have watched it sometime in the past. Linda loves it. So, this year I decided to watch it with her. This show was based on a comic strip called Peanuts written by Charles Schultz. The television special was created in 1965. The story concerns a boy, Charlie Brown, becoming the director of a Christmas play. It seems that Charlie Brown is depressed at how things are progressing, even visiting Lucy's psychiatric booth looking for help. He turns to Linus and finally exclaims, "Isn't there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about!" Linus tells Charlie Brown that he knows what Christmas is all about and goes to the stage with his security blanket and recites the Christmas story.
"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: 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 Saviour, 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, goodwill toward men.'" Luke 2:8-14
Then Linus walks over to Charlie Brown and says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." But, there was something that took place while Linus was reciting the Christmas story. One characteristic of Linus that we always see is that he is holding his blue security blanket. He never lets it go, but, when he recited the Christmas story he said, "And the angel of the Lord said to them, 'Fear not:..." At that moment Linus drops his security blanket. There was a strong message given to all of us watching the story. Whatever we are hanging on to for our security must be dropped. Our security is not in what we have. Our security is in Jesus. The Bible makes the statement, "Fear not" or "Do not be afraid" 365 times. We have a reminder to not be afraid for every day of the year!
Just like Linus, we should drop our insecurities. During this extraordinary year of a Pandemic and political chaos and COVID-19 and lockdowns, we find that whatever we are trusting is not strong enough to bring us security without Jesus. If we look for answers horizontally...around us...we will NOT find security. The world just doesn't have the answers. But, a vertical look...looking up to God...fixing our eyes on Jesus...will secure every answer for which we are looking.
You know what I mean. There are a lot of people who are in the same position as Charlie Brown asking if anyone knows the answer.
The world looks dark but we know the Light of the world is Jesus! Let's go to the Light. Let's direct people to the Light. Never walk in darkness again. Be like Linus. Drop your security blanket and trust in Jesus...ALONE!
May God Bless You!
Don Betts
DBEA/campus320
DBEAWINNING.COM
TO GOD BE ALL GLORY!