"I think there is something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel.I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents, sending Christmas cards, and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed."
This timeless classic from 1965 carries us through Charlie Brown's plight in finding happiness at Christmastime. After spilling his guts out to Linus about being unhappy, Charlie makes a trip to Lucy's famous "Psychiatric Help 5 Cents" stand. Lucy begins her examination of this depressed boy:
"Are you afraid of responsibility? If so, then you have hypengyophobia."
"Are you afraid of cats? If so, then you have ailurophasia."
"Are you afraid of staircases? If so, then you have climacaphobia."
"Do you think you have Pantophobia?"
"What's that?" Charlie Brown asks.
"A fear of everything."
"That's it!" exclaims Charlie Brown.
Lucy then offers up the suggestion of Charlie Brown directing the school play for Christmas, hoping his involvement in something will make him happy. Charlie accepts.
Along the way though the commercialization of Christmas brings him back down:
1. Snoopy decorates his doghouse and enters it in a neighborhood lights and display contest.
2. Charlie Brown's sister ask's for help in writing a letter to Santa. Sally ask's Santa to just send money, preferably tens and twenties.
"All I want is what's coming to me. All I want is my fair share!" she exclaims.
3. The cast members of the school play all seem self absorbed, not wanting to cooperate.
Charlie Brown decides what the school play really needs is a Christmas tree. He and Linus set out to find a tree, one that really stands out. Charlie Brown chooses the smallest, the frailest, and the most unimaginable tree you could think of. His thinking is all the tree needs is some love and care. And of course, he becomes the laughingstock of the cast.
"Can't I do anything right?" Charlie beleaguers to himself.
"I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.
Doesn't anyone know what Christmas is all about?" he shouts out.
Linus approaches center stage and gives the story of the real meaning of Christmas:
...And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for behold, I bring unto 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 great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
"That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown." Linus exclaims.
Unfortunately there will be more Charlie Browns out there this holiday season than in seasons past. And for whatever the reason, now is the perfect time to spread the good news. The real meaning of Christmas.
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