“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks 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 tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, tis Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, 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 van Pelt, from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

 

From this 1965 animated TV special, we hear, from the Gospel of Luke, a portion of Jesus’ birth story.

Even though the audience numbers for that show went through the roof, there was concern by the producers about bringing religion into the script. But, it has survived its telling, as I’m sure many of us can quote Linus’ speech, sometimes forgetting it’s from Christian Scripture.

It’s taken me many years, after first watching Charlie Brown and the gang save a Christmas pageant and a fledgling tree, to realize and claim just how many layers there are to this holiday we call Christmas: religious, secular, spiritual, liturgical, economic, for example.

They constantly weave in and out of each other, never quite standing alone, but always trying to put us in mindsets and heartsets of ‘the Season.’

Growing up Catholic in Louisville, my brothers and I couldn’t wait for the Sears Christmas catalog when we dog-eared pages of toys or clothes we wanted.

I couldn’t wait to put up our Christmas decorations of lights, tree and ornaments.

I couldn’t wait for the manger scene to be put out, a set my mom was given from her dad during World War II.

I couldn’t wait for Charlie Brown, Frosty and Rudolph, and for singing ‘Hark, the herald angels sing’ in church.

I couldn’t wait for the stillness of the newly-fallen snow, and what I thought was THE Star in the night sky leading me to where a baby was born.

The early Christian church started celebrating Christmas as the birth of Jesus in the 4th century, beginning in Egypt.

With Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire, this became a standardized holiday and, in its spread around the Kingdom, reimagined the ancient pagan holidays of Saturnalia and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti to tell the story of Jesus, as their dates had already been set around the end of December.

Many other stories, traditions, and practices emerged over the years, for good or for ill, to capitalize on this holy day, whether it be the character of Santa Claus and his reindeer, St. Nicholas — Bishop of Myra, decorating trees and having them inside the house, hanging stockings or giving gifts.

Some of the greatest music, hymns and songs have been written around the birth of the Christ child, as well as the holiday and season of Christmas.

Stunning and beautiful paintings, images, icons, and other artful representations of the Bethlehem manger scene, with Mary, Joseph and the Babe have come from spiritual and religious inspirations.

As I’m sure it’s been a part of this holiday through the centuries, though, the use of Christmas as leverage over who’s right or wrong in the celebrating of the season has made me pause.

This honoring of the birth of Jesus started as a way to pay homage to a Jewish rabbi and model for peace and justice throughout the world. It also was used as a way to spread this religious fervor and faith tradition across the Roman and British Empires.

It has come to be seen as a time for joy and goodwill towards family, friend, and neighbor. It is also used as an economic boon for retailers, consumers, and whole financial systems.

Whatever this season means for you, may you find grace and love in its warmth. May you be blessed with kindness, and work to spread it around. May your struggles be lessened, and your heart grow stronger.

May the child in the manger be a sign for you of God’s everlasting love. And may you have Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas!

Jim Trimble is Priest-in-Charge of Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Lexington Road in Winchester. He can be reached at fatherjim.emmanuel@gmail.com.